Australia is taking a firm stance on youth online safety with a new law that will ban social media use for those under 16. This measure, scheduled to become effective on December 10, 2025, under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, will prevent children from creating or using accounts on popular sites including TikTok, Reddit, and X.
“This is about making sure our kids are safe online,” declared Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, emphasizing that the digital sphere should not compromise young people’s mental health or developmental progress. The Australian government has pinpointed cyberbullying, exposure to dangerous content, and the addictive qualities of social media algorithms as primary drivers for this legislation. The decision aligns with global concerns, as numerous studies have documented links between excessive screen time and social media consumption and increased instances of anxiety, sleep disruption, and impaired concentration among adolescents.