Social Media (2).webp
The Digest:

Australia has become the first country to legally ban all children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms. The sweeping legislation, which took effect at midnight, targets platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch, and Kick, imposing hefty fines for non-compliance.

Key Points:
  • The law imposes fines of up to A$49.5 million on companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to block underage access.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the ban as having “parents’ backs” amid growing concerns over cyberbullying, harmful content, and digital addiction.
  • The policy follows a government-commissioned trial that found age-verification technology could reliably enforce such restrictions.
  • Hours after implementation, the High Court faced a legal challenge from two 15-year-olds arguing the ban violates freedom of communication.
  • Advocacy groups warn the move could further isolate vulnerable youths, including those with disabilities and from rural or LGBTQ+ communities.
  • Supporters, including parents of children affected by online harm, have welcomed the law as a necessary form of protection.
  • The ban has sparked international debate, with the UK stating it has “no current plans” for a similar prohibition, while other nations explore softer regulations.
The move reflects a growing global tension between digital liberty and protective oversight, where a nation draws a bold line in the virtual sand to guard childhood against an unseen storm.

Sources: BBC reports,