Australia has announced a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, as part of efforts to improve online safety.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the measure, contained in the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, will take effect on 10 December 2025.
The government explained that the legislation aims to protect minors from risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and the addictive effects of social media algorithms.
Under the new law, it will be illegal for anyone under 16 to create or maintain accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, and Kick.
In a post on X on Monday, Albanese emphasized that the move is focused on safeguarding young people. He stated in a press release, “This is about letting kids be kids. It’s also about empowering parents to be able to have those discussions with their children.”
He further wrote, “We’re banning social media for under-16s to keep them safe online.”
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