Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16.
The law, which was passed on Thursday has put tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date.
The law will take effect in 12 months, allowing time for the government to trial age-verification technologies.
The new law was drafted in response to what the Labour Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, described as a “clear, causal link between the rise of social media and the harm [to] the mental health of young Australians.
“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” Albanese told reporters afterwards.
The new law by the Senate with 34 votes to 19 prohibits platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Reddit from allowing users under 16.
Companies found in violation could face fines of up to AU$50 million (US$32 million). YouTube has been excluded from the ban due to its educational content.
The law has been hailed by some as a bold move to protect children, but has been criticised by academics, advocacy groups, and tech experts.
Concerns have been raised that the legislation could drive teenagers to unsafe spaces like the dark web or lead to increased isolation.
Questions about enforcement have also surfaced, with critics warning that rushed implementation could create privacy risks if companies require extensive personal data for age verification.
Amnesty International has recommended that the bill be reconsidered, arguing that the “ban that isolates young people will not meet the government’s objective of improving young people’s lives”.
The bill received over 15,000 public submissions in a single day, many opposing the measure, after tech billionaire Elon Musk drew attention to the proposal on X.
