Australia Enforces Historic Social Media Ban For Under-16s With $50 Million Penalty

Australia has implemented a landmark law banning social media for children under 16. The Online Safety Amendment Bill, passed in November 2024, came into effect on December 10, 2025. The government cites mental health concerns, with officials pointing to 'rising cases of cyber bullying, online harassment, exposure to harmful or age inappropriate content'. Companies failing to comply face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars. While platforms like TikTok and Instagram are restricted, services like YouTube Kids remain exempt. The move faces opposition, including a constitutional challenge by teenagers in New South Wales. The report notes that Australia is 'one of the first countries to go ahead and impose these strict social media age limits', sparking global interest.