Australia Enforces Social Media Ban for Under-16s

• 18 Dec 2025

On 10 December 2025, Australia became the first country in the world to enforce a nationwide ban on social media access for users below the age of 16, marking a significant shift in how governments regulate children’s online engagement.

Key Points

• Global First: Australia implemented the world’s first legally binding ban on social media use for children under 16, blocking access to nearly ten major platforms including Facebook and X.
• Legal Framework: The ban is based on the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, introduced in November 2024, which mandates a minimum age of 16 for accounts on specified social media platforms.
• No Parental Override: The law explicitly prevents parents from granting consent for children under 16 to access these platforms, signalling a strict regulatory approach.
• Government Rationale: The Australian government argues that social media poses risks to children’s mental health and well-being, citing concerns over cyberbullying, harmful content and online predatory behaviour.
• Heavy Penalties: Platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” to block underage users face fines of up to USD 33 million (AUD 49.5 million).