Protecting teenagers is tantamount to protecting ourselves.

In a landmark decision, Australia has passed a law prohibiting social media usage for children under the age of 16, setting a precedent that could influence global policy. The legislation, introduced just a week ago, has garnered support from both the conservative opposition and the center-left government due to growing concerns over the negative impact of tech services on children’s well-being.
Scheduled to commence in November 2025, the law will require social media platforms to implement “reasonable steps” to verify users’ ages and prevent minors from accessing their services. Non-compliance could result in hefty fines of up to approximately $32 million. This move comes despite tech giants like Google and Meta petitioning for a delay until an age-verification trial is completed, which is expected around mid-next year.
In a final privacy-protecting amendment, the Senate committee stipulated that social media platforms must not demand personal data, such as passports or digital IDs, from users to prove their age. This condition aims to safeguard users’ privacy while enforcing the new restrictions.
Australia’s bold step towards regulating social media for the younger demographic highlights a growing global trend of governments taking a more active role in protecting the online safety and mental health of teenagers.