Australia’s social media ban for young people takes effect

Children under 16 can no longer access 10 of the world’s biggest platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.Published On 9 Dec 2025Australia has banned children under 16 from social media in a world-first, as other countries consider similar age-based measures amid rising concerns over its effects on children’s health and safety.Under the new law, which came into effect at midnight local time on Wednesday (13:00 GMT on Tuesday), 10 of the biggest platforms face $33m in fines if they fail to purge Australia-based users younger than 16.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Australia clamps downs on ‘nudify’ sites used for AI-generated child abuselist 2 of 3Malaysia says it will ban social media for under-16s from next yearlist 3 of 3Snapchat starts age checks in Australia ahead of teen social media banend of listThe law has been criticised by major technology companies and free speech campaigners, but praised by parents and child advocates.The Australian government says unprecedented measures are needed to protect children from “predatory algorithms” filling phone screens with bullying, sex and violence.“Too often, social media isn’t social at all,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in advance of the ban.“Instead, it’s used as a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators.”The law states that Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit are forbidden from creating or keeping accounts belonging to users in Australia under 16.Streaming platforms Kick and Twitch are also on the government’s blacklist, as are message boards Threads and X. Popular apps and websites such as Roblox, Pinterest and WhatsApp are currently exempt – but the government has stressed that the list remains under review.Meta, YouTube and other social media giants have already condemned the ban.YouTube, in particular, has attacked the law, describing it as “rushed” and saying it would only push children into deeper, darker corners of the internet.