Mixed Reactions Follow Australia’s Youth Social Media Ban

Australians responded with a mix of anger and relief on Friday to a new social media ban for children under 16.

The government touts the measure as world-leading, while tech giants like TikTok warn it could drive young users to “darker corners of the internet.”

Australia approved the social media ban for children on Thursday after a fiery debate that has gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.

The law forces tech giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta Platforms to TikTok to stop minors from logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). A trial of enforcement methods will start in January, with the ban to take effect in a year.

Watch | Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on November 29 that social media platforms now have a responsibility to ensure the safety of children, after the country’s parliament passed a bill banning those under the age of 16 from using the services pic.twitter.com/CRC1Gu5o9g

— Forbes India (@ForbesIndia) November 29, 2024

Video credit: Forbes India

“Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday.

“We’re making sure that mums and dads can have that different conversation today and in future days.”

Announcing the details of the ban earlier this month, Albanese cited the risks to the physical and mental health of children from excessive social media use, in particular the risks to girls from harmful depictions of body image and misogynist content aimed at boys.

In Sydney on Friday, reaction to the ban was mixed.

REUTERS