By our Reporter
Australia has officially enforced a nationwide law banning children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, effective from midnight in Sydney.
The restriction affects over five million Australians under 16, including about one million aged 10 to 15, according to the national statistics bureau. Platforms covered by the ban include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and streaming services such as Kick and Twitch.
Services like YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and messaging apps such as WhatsApp remain accessible to minors.
Under the law, social media companies are responsible for preventing underage access. Firms that fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply could face fines of up to $49.5 million. Authorities noted that the list of restricted platforms will be periodically reviewed.
The legislation follows a November 2024 pledge by the Australian government to introduce what it called “world-leading” rules to protect children online. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that social media “is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it.”
