Why is Australia banning social media for teenagers?

On December 10, 2025, Australia will implement a nationwide ban on social media for individuals under 16, becoming the first country to impose such a broad age-based restriction. The new policy, announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government, requires social media platforms to block new underage accounts and remove existing ones, excluding video gaming platforms. This measure follows amendments to the Online Safety Act and is a response to growing concerns about cyberbullying, exploitation, harmful content, and mental health risks associated with social media use among young people. The government cites research indicating widespread social media use among children as young as eight and aims to "keep children safe" by implementing the ban. The eSafety Commissioner will issue standards for platforms to operate in Australia.

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