Australia bans social media for Under-16s; protection or overreach?

Sydney: Australia will bring into force a landmark regulation starting 10 December 2025, under which anyone under the age of 16 will be banned from creating or maintaining social media accounts. The move follows mounting concerns over the mental-health risks, addictive algorithms and exposure to harmful content faced by young users, and places the responsibility squarely on tech companies to police access rather than on parents or children themselves. Under the law, platforms are required to take “reasonable steps” to: prevent under-16s from opening new accounts identify and deactivate existing accounts held by under-16s implement processes for error correction if someone is wrongly removed While no new penalties apply to the children or their parents, the platforms themselves bear liability. Impact on Children and Families Potential benefits: By restricting access to popular social media platforms until age 16, the law aims to reduce exposure to cyber-bullying, harmful content and addictive screen-time patterns. The regulatory body states young people are at a “critical stage of their development” and deserve stronger protections. The measure may give families and educators more time to prepare children for safe, mindful use of social media once they are older and more equipped to handle it. Potential drawbacks: Enforcement is expected to be complex. Age verification systems are under development, and tech firms argue that full compliance may be difficult to achieve in practice. Some critics argue that banning account access may push children toward less-regulated online spaces or cause social isolation, especially for vulnerable groups who use social media for connection. The policy may not differentiate between children who are social-media savvy and those who are at higher risk; a blanket ban may not always be the best solution. Is This a Beneficial and Mature Move? From a policy-standpoint, Australia is positioning itself as a pioneer by treating social-media access for children as a public-health and safety issue. The move is mature in its intent: acknowledge the rising concerns about children’s mental health, screen addiction and exposure to harmful content. That said, the success of this law will hinge on its implementation. The reliance on platforms’ “reasonable steps” rather than a rigid verification mandate means much depends on how tech firms respond and how regulators enforce compliance. Without effective mechanisms, intentions may fall short of outcomes. In short: yes, the move is beneficial in principle, as it prioritises children’s development and safety. But the maturity of the approach will be judged by how safeguards, enforcement and the unintended consequences are handled in real-world scenarios. Instagram to give users more control over recommendations; Know what is ‘Your Algorithm’ tool What Will Families and Children Need to Do? Parents will need to talk proactively with younger children about why certain platforms will become unavailable and what alternatives or supervised usages exist. Children approaching age 16 may need guidance in preparing for their transition into full social-media use, developing healthy habits, privacy awareness and digital literacy. Families should explore permitted platforms (such as messaging apps, educational tools and gaming channels) and set clear rules well before the law takes full effect. Schools and educators should adjust their communication strategies; some platforms used in academic settings may come under the age-restricted list or require alternate arrangements. 7 ways to earn money from Instagram with less followers or without getting viral What Comes Next? The government has pledged that within two years of the law’s start date, it will initiate an independent review of its operations and impact. Tech companies are already in consultation about how to handle age‐verification, account de-activation and appeal processes. The regulator will monitor whether platforms are making meaningful changes. Meanwhile, the world is watching whether Australia’s novel experiment will set a template for other nations or reveal key limitations.