Australia is set to make history as the first country to ban social media use for teens under the age of 16, with the law taking effect tomorrow, December 10. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube will be required to block over a million accounts belonging to underage users. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to A$49.5 million (£26 million), marking a strict new approach to child online safety.
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The ban applies to 10 of the largest social media platforms, which must ensure that Australians under 16 are blocked from accessing their services from midnight local time (1300 GMT). The law is expected to set a precedent for other countries considering stricter regulations for children online, as governments around the world watch closely. Experts and policymakers are observing the experiment to understand its broader implications for youth, mental health, and technology regulation.
On December 10, millions of teenagers in Australia will have no access to social media. Al Jazeera’s @N_Linhhh breaks down what this unprecedented government ban entails. pic.twitter.com/b0kccd95Yq
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 8, 2025
America, look at this.
Australia just told TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and every other algorithm to f*ck right off.
Starting December 10, any kid under 16 is banned. No parental override. No “my kid’s mature.” Just gone.
$32 million-a-day fines if the apps don’t enforce it.… pic.twitter.com/UPyhHlAm8R— Desiree (@DesireeAmerica4) December 8, 2025
The move comes amid growing concern over the negative effects of social media on young people. Studies and internal reports from companies like Meta have revealed links between social media use and issues such as body image problems and suicidal thoughts among teenagers. These findings have prompted governments, from Denmark to Malaysia and some U.S. states, to explore similar restrictions on social media access for minors.
While the law has drawn praise from parents and child advocacy groups, it has also sparked criticism from tech companies and free speech advocates. Critics argue that restricting access to platforms may have unintended consequences, while supporters emphasize the need to protect vulnerable teens from harmful online content.
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Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has partnered with Stanford University and 11 academic researchers to study the impact of the ban over the next two years. The study will track the effects on thousands of young Australians, providing data that could influence future social media regulations worldwide.