Australia's Social Media Ban for Young People

[Wombat]

Australia's social media ban for people aged under 16 has officially started, marking a world-first push to protect children from phone addiction and online harms.

From now on, a group of social media platforms will face penalties of up to $50 million if they do not take "reasonable steps" to prevent children and teenagers aged under 16 from holding a social media account.

 

[January]

will be interesting to see how this pans out in practice.

 

[CallMeKate]

I saw the story about the Australian ban in the New York Times. I think it's a very good and positive step, but my question is how do they plan to enforce it? What's to stop a 13 year old saying they're 16 or 18? This is what NYT says:
"The setup and enforcement of age restrictions are left up to the companies. In the days leading to the ban, some teenagers said that they were prompted to verify their ages using a facial analysis feature, but that it gave inaccurate estimates. The law also states that companies cannot ask users to provide government-issued identification as the only way to prove their age because of privacy concerns." https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/world/asia/australia-social-media-ban-under-16.html

 

[Aunt Bea]

I understand the ban but it seems like there must be a better way.

Not just for this but for many things where young people are asked to wait until they reach a magic age to do various things without any real preparation in the years leading up to it.

 

[ChiroDoc]

Well, alcohol is banned for kids, why not social media? It's probably at least as dangerous, probably more so.

It fundamentally goes against a Libertarian mindset, but if the ban is able to be effected, it will take away a huge detriment to development for today's kids.

OTOH, I'm sure they'll figure away around the ban. Probably an internet phone ban would be better. Kids should be learning to play, to socialize with other kids, and to learn the 3 R's, and to develop their minds. Phone use interrupts all of that.

 

[outlander]

This is what is wrong with the world. Where are the parents? It is their job to protect, control and guide their children.

The lack of this is just giving government another reason to implement big brother control.

I keep hoping this is just a horrible nightmare that I will wake up from

 

[seadoug]

This is what is wrong with the world. Where are the parents? It is their job to protect, control and guide their children.

The lack of this is just giving government another reason to implement big brother control.

I keep hoping this is just a horrible nightmare that I will wake up from

Most of the parents I see who take their kids to restaurants in our neighborhood also have their faces buried in their phones, so no time for actual parenting. Yes, it starts with the parents.

 

[retiredtraveler]

I just love some of the responses I have seen from the kids who will have their media taken away. You would think their parents, and their dog, died. Shows you how bad the problem is, the addiction, the zombie scrolling, etc.

 

[January]

This is what is wrong with the world. Where are the parents? It is their job to protect, control and guide their children.

The lack of this is just giving government another reason to implement big brother control.

I keep hoping this is just a horrible nightmare that I will wake up from

obviously young teenagers dont have their parents with them 24/ 7 - so not really seeing the 'where are the parents' point

We ban other things from children. We dont let minors buy alcohol

 

[oscash]

I was watching one of our Current Affairs programmes the other day about under 16 year olds not able to use social media One young girl was quite indignant about it and said there was a way to get around it and her mother was standing nearby
supporting her.

 

[outlander]

obviously young teenagers dont have their parents with them 24/ 7 - so not really seeing the 'where are the parents' point

We ban other things from children. We dont let minors buy alcohol

Young teenagers are not the only age group in the under 16 category.

There are some countries that allow minors to buy alcohol.

Controlling social media on a minors phone is not as clear cut as banning the sale of alcohol, cigarettes, ect.

I tried ignoring you hoping you would just go away, but it didn't work I'm sure responding to your quote of my post just made it worse

 

[January]

if you want to ignore me, just put me on ignore - not sure why you would need to broadcast that.

and of course young teenagers are not the only age group in U16's - but many children in this age range would not be having constant parents presence so not sure how 'where are the parents' is a valid question.

There may be some countries which allow minors to buy alcohol - but willing to bet they are the minority. at any rate it certainly isnt the case in Australia.

I'm sure enforcing this may not be clear cut but it is a start.