Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday defended the country’s new ban that blocks children under 16 from using major social media platforms, even as many teenagers continue to boast online that they have managed to stay active.
The law, which took effect on December 10, is the first of its kind in the world. It requires companies such as Meta, TikTok and YouTube to remove accounts belonging to users under 16 or face heavy fines. The government says the measure is needed to protect young people from online harms including bullying, addiction and exposure to harmful content.
Albanese said the rollout will take time but insisted the system is working as intended. He noted that teenagers who publicly claim they are still online are helping platforms identify and remove accounts that violate the new rules.
The eSafety Commissioner said thousands of underage accounts have already been closed, although many children are still finding ways to access platforms using false details or other gaps in verification systems. Officials said all non compliant accounts will be removed in the coming weeks.
The ban has triggered debate across the country. Supporters say it is a strong step toward improving child safety, while critics argue that strict age limits may push young people to less regulated parts of the internet. Several civil society groups have also raised concerns about privacy and the practicality of enforcing the law.
State leaders and the federal government are preparing for possible legal challenges, as some teenagers and advocacy organisations argue that the rules restrict freedom of expression.
Social media companies have expressed mixed responses. Meta has begun shutting down underage accounts to comply with the new law, but platforms continue to warn that enforcement will be complex and may not fully prevent young people from accessing online spaces.
Despite the controversy, the Australian government says it will continue to strengthen online safety policies and monitor the impact of the ban in the coming months.