By Deborah Nnamdi
Australia has announced a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to enhance online safety.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the new rule, contained in the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, will take effect on December 10, 2025.
The government explained that the legislation is designed to protect minors from online dangers such as cyberbullying, harmful content, and the addictive nature of social media algorithms.
Under the law, children below 16 will be prohibited from creating or maintaining accounts on major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, and Kick.
In a post on X on Monday, Prime Minister Albanese said the policy aims to safeguard young people while helping families manage digital exposure.
“This is about letting kids be kids,” he said. “It’s also about empowering parents to be able to have those discussions with their children. We’re banning social media for under-16s to keep them safe online.”
