This measure requires platforms to deactivate minors’ accounts, reigniting the debate between protection, mental health and risk of isolation.
Last Wednesday (10 a.m. local time) Australia then adopted one of the harshest measures ever seen in the debate on childhood and the Internet: the ban on the use of social networks by children under 16 years old. The news came as a relief to many parents – and outrage (or sadness) to some teens. They, in turn, began to publicly say goodbye to their friends and subscribers.
The rule, approved in late 2024, places the country as the first in the world to implement a restriction of this magnitude. With the motto “Let them be children” (whether they are children), the government states that the intention is to reduce adolescents’ contact with inappropriate content, risks of grooming and negative impacts on mental health.
Which networks are included in the ban and which are excluded
In practice, platforms included in the law must deactivate existing profiles of users under the age of 16 and also prevent new accounts in this age range. Among the services listed are: Instagram, Facebook, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Reddit, Kick and Twitch (live broadcasts).
On the other hand, certain platforms will not receive blocks, in particular YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, WhatsApp, Roblox and Discord. The rationale is that the law targets services whose primary (or significant) purpose is to enable social interaction and publication of content between users.
Accounts suspended and “fired” on networks
With the law coming into force, mass evictions began. Authorities say TikTok has already disabled around 200,000 profiles, and “hundreds of thousands” are expected to be blocked in the coming days. The government requires businesses to quickly adopt filters and monitor compliance.
Meanwhile, young people and content creators have turned this moment into a sort of “last message”. Emotional messages circulated such as “I’m going to miss you”, “See you in a few years” And “See you later, on the other side.”many accompanied by montages with memes and memories of the trip online.
There was also a political reaction. Some teenagers criticized the Prime Minister Antoine Albanaiswho has reportedly lost thousands of followers since the announcement. Among the comments, a warning message even appeared: “Wait until we can vote.”
Why did the government decide to do this?
The initiative goes to Anthony Albanese, who has publicly championed the change and declared that the reform is “capable of changing lives”. The government’s central argument is that, without stronger intervention, adolescents continue to be exposed to mechanisms and experiences considered harmful, such as cyberbullying, distortions of self-image and algorithms designed to hold their attention longer.
What is the lesson of this Australian “experience”
Australia has set a precedent and become a laboratory observed by several countries. The subject raises difficult questions: what is the line between protection and prohibition? How can you ensure security without removing important digital tools? And how can we hold platforms accountable without transferring all control to families and schools? Ultimately, one thing seems certain: the debate around childhood, mental health and social media has entered a new phase – and what happens in Australia is likely to influence future decisions around the world.
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