Canberra: Australia has begun enforcing a new law that bans children under 16 from using major social media platforms, marking the first nationwide rule of its kind in the world. The law took effect today after months of preparation by the government and technology companies.
Under the new rules, apps such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and several others must block new accounts from users below 16 years old and remove any existing accounts that belong to younger children. Companies that fail to take reasonable steps to comply risk heavy penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.
The government says the measure was introduced to protect children from harmful online content, bullying and the pressure created by social media. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said the country now shares a common cause with other governments, especially the United States, which are seeking stronger protections for young people online.
Many tech companies began acting ahead of the deadline. Meta removed or restricted underage accounts in recent weeks, while YouTube confirmed it would also block young users in line with the new rules. The government has not forced platforms to use universal age verification, saying such a system would be too intrusive. Instead, companies can use targeted checks or age estimation tools.
The move has sparked both support and concern. Supporters say the ban is necessary to reduce online risks, while critics argue that it may push children toward less safe corners of the internet or isolate those who rely on social platforms for social interaction and support. Some groups have also warned that the law could face legal challenges over privacy and free speech issues.
Other countries are watching closely as Australia becomes the first nation to impose a blanket age limit on social media use. Several governments in Europe and Asia are studying similar steps, seeing Australia’s decision as an early test of how such policies might work.
Authorities say they will continue monitoring how platforms implement the rules and may expand the list of covered apps in the coming months.