Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday that Australia’s new social media ban for children under 16 has officially taken effect, making the country the first in the world to “give it a crack.”
Albanese said the ban addresses the growing challenges social media poses to both parents and children, describing it as a move that will provide families with greater peace of mind and allow young people to experience a more traditional childhood.
“Across Australia, those under 16 are starting their day a little differently—without social media,” Albanese said in a message. “It’s a big change and we’re the first country in the world to give it a crack. But it really matters.”
He emphasized the pressures created by algorithms, endless scrolling, and digital influences that no previous generation has had to face. The new rules, he noted, shift responsibility onto social media companies rather than parents. “Today’s change is about supporting you to keep your children safe online. Putting the responsibility right where it belongs—on the social media giants, not on parents,” he said.
“By banning social media for those under 16, we’re giving children a childhood and parents more peace of mind,” the prime minister added.
In a separate video message, Albanese said this marks the moment “Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies” and reaffirming “the right of kids to be kids and for parents to have greater peace of mind.”
According to UNICEF Australia, as of December 10, anyone under 16 in the country will no longer be able to maintain or create accounts on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and others. The measure does not penalize young people or their families, but it requires social media companies to block underage users or face substantial fines of up to approximately AUD 50 million.
The ban follows the passage of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 on November 28 last year. The law sets a mandatory minimum age of 16 for accounts on certain platforms, and parents cannot override the restriction by giving consent.
UNICEF Australia said the government introduced the ban to protect the mental health and well-being of children and teenagers from risks associated with social media—including cyberbullying, harmful content, and online predators—which it argues outweigh any benefits.
The organization also noted that some apps, including Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom, and YouTube Kids, are expected to remain accessible under the new rules.
