Australia has become the first country in the world to ban the use of social media by adolescents under the age of 16, a decision which is already arousing strong dissatisfaction of influencers and content creators. In force since Wednesday (10/12), the measure aims to protect the mental health and the well-being young Australians by banning access to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to those under the specified age range. The Australian government, which approved the bill in 2024, has since faced constant criticism, both from digital creative professionals and humanitarian organizations, such as UNICEF.
Come and understand!
The move sparked mixed reactions among young audiences.
Digital security
In November 2024, the Australian government passed a bill which determines the mandatory minimum age of 16 to create accounts on certain social media platforms. The measure, which came into force this Wednesday (12/10), determines that platforms such as Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, 178 million reais) for serious or repeated violations.
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The measure aims to protect the mental health of young people
The ban concerns a total of ten social platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Kick and Twitch. The measure highlights that new profiles cannot be created and existing ones will be deleted.
New amendments to the Online Safety Act aim to restrict young people’s access to major social media platforms
With this measure, the Australian government aims to reduce the direct impacts of “design features that encourage (young people) to spend more time in front of screens, while at the same time offering content that can harm their health and well-being”. The action is based on a study, carried out by the agency in early 2025, which revealed that 96% of children aged 10 to 15 have used social networks and that seven out of ten had been exposed to harmful content.
Australian landmarks lit up on first day of national ban on social media use by under-16s
Several monuments were illuminated after the measure came into force
Until then, young people were in contact with misogynistic and violent materialin addition to content promoting eating disorders and suicide. The law, in a way, puts pressure on responsible companies not to rely solely on individual common sense and parental oversight. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “the ban gives young people the opportunity to use their time for other things.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Criticism and discontent
The law, approved in November 2024, has since been criticized and sparked discontent. Content creators have expressed disapproval of the measure, raising questions about the need to censor young people’s access to apps, instead of adopting effective security practices and regulatory techniques for the social networks themselves.
“Obviously I’m very frustrated. I understand that this will probably have a positive impact on the future, it will definitely adapt the way our brains think. I’m angry,” revealed Sofia, 14, from Brisbane.
The measure came into force this Wednesday (10/12)
Australian influencer Zoey, who produces content alongside her father Mark, took to social media to express her displeasure, saying she would continue to find ways around the ban and express her creativity. The young woman was one of the spokespersons who helped publicize a petition, registered in the Australian parliament, calling for lowering the minimum age for access to social networks from 16 to 13 years old.
“I don’t think this is going to work, let’s find ways around it. So invest your money in doing things to make social media safer instead of banning it. Do something that will work,” says Zoey.
@_heyitszoeyandmark What’s really going on #socialmediaban #australiangovernment #dobetter #syd #foryoupageofficial ♬ original sound – Zoey & Dad
While this measure is a direct result of the government’s concern for the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children and adolescents, it is worth noting that relationship apps – such as dating apps, for example – have been excluded from the list of banned platforms. The study commissioned by the agency earlier this year also found that one in seven children reported having previously experienced grooming behavior from adults, a technique known as grooming. grooming on social networks.
@jennawiththepink Who else survived Australia’s social media ban?
#ban #socialmediaban #australia #sydney ♬ The less I know, the better – Tame Impala
#ban #socialmediaban #australia #sydney ♬ The less I know, the better – Tame Impala
UNICEF Australia has taken a stance on the issue, saying “the real solution should be to improve social media safety, not just delay access.” The UN agency, set up to defend the rights and wellbeing of children and adolescents, added: “We believe it is more important to make platforms safer and listen to young people to ensure any changes actually help. »
“I saw my social networks as a path for my future career,” laments young Ella Lucia.
Humanitarian organizations like UNICEF were against the ban
Communication alternatives
Young Australians will have to restrict their communication to channels that were not affected by the adoption of the measure, such as WhatsApp, Discord, YouTube Kids and Google Classroom. Many have expressed their displeasure with the law by stating that it is a “control of speech and free will.”
Young people will have to look for new digital communication alternatives
It is possible that innovations in the field of communication will establish themselves in the Australian market as an alternative to socializing during the ban. In August this year, a to start up American revisits the nostalgia of corded telephones, made of tin, to encourage children to reduce their use of screens. It’s a phone line called Tin Can, which allows connections between children in a safe and creative way. The fun solution allows parents to monitor, approve and restrict calls made, in addition to configuring availability times to use the device with “do not disturb” mode.
Without applications, games or messages, the product playfully opens a space for healthy dialogues on a daily basis.
The site also offers a second model of corded telephone, inspired by the childhoods of children in the 1980s.
Perspective from other countries
Other countries appear to be moving in the same direction as Australia. Denmark, for example, announced its intention to ban networks for children under 15 years old. In Spain, a bill has been drafted proposing the need for legal authorization from parents or guardians for the use of social platforms by children under 16 years old.
Other countries are considering similar measures
The French Parliament considered a digital “curfew” for young people aged 15 to 18, alongside the ban on using the networks for individuals under this age group. This recommendation follows a report analyzing the Tik Tok algorithm carried out by a French commission, motivated by more than seven legal proceedings from families who claimed that their children were exposed to content inciting suicide.
French Parliament considers digital “curfew” for young people aged 15 to 18
In the United States, in 2024, a law was passed that stated that Tik Tok could only operate in the country if it was sold to a local owner, thus leaving the hands of Chinese creators. The measure, originating from the US Senate, provided that the application would be banned if it did not comply with the order. The platform appealed to the Supreme Court, but its appeal was rejected, resulting in the application being banned on American soil for almost a month, until Donald Trump postponed the application of the legislation.
In the United States, a law was passed that states that Tik Tok can only operate in the country if it is sold to a local owner.
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