Australia Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

Australia is moving forward with a bold proposal to restrict social media use for anyone under the age of 16. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the plan on Wednesday, emphasizing concerns about social media’s impact on young people. "Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese said, highlighting the government's intent to prioritize children's mental health and safety.

The legislation, expected to be introduced to parliament this year, would take effect one year after approval and won’t allow parental consent as a workaround. This means that popular platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and potentially YouTube, will be required to implement stricter age verification measures to comply with the new rule.

Australia’s proposed policy would be one of the most stringent globally, though several other nations are taking steps in a similar direction. Norway, for example, recently raised its social media age limit from 13 to 15, citing the need to protect young minds from the influence of profit-driven tech platforms.