Australia to Implement World’s First Minimum Age for Social Media Use
Canberra, The Gulf Observer: Australia will become the first country globally to enforce a minimum age for social media, with a nationwide ban for users under 16 taking effect at midnight on Wednesday.
Under the new legislation, ten major platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, must block access to users under 16 or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$33 million). Authorities estimate that more than one million accounts will be affected, according to reports citing Reuters.
The law has drawn criticism from major technology companies and free-speech advocates, though it has been welcomed by parents and child-safety groups. Experts describe the move as a “live global experiment” as governments worldwide consider whether age-based restrictions can mitigate online harm. Denmark, Malaysia, and several U.S. states are reportedly preparing similar measures amid frustrations over the tech industry’s slow progress on safety reforms.
Momentum for the policy grew after leaked internal Meta documents suggested that the company was aware its platforms contributed to self-harm and body-image issues among teenagers.
“Australia is the first — but unlikely the last,” said Tama Leaver, professor of internet studies at Curtin University. “This is the canary in the coal mine for Big Tech.” The British government, which recently introduced age checks for pornography websites, has stated it is closely monitoring Australia’s approach.
Social media platforms will verify users’ ages through a combination of methods, including activity-based algorithms, selfie-based age estimation, ID document checks, and bank account-linked verification. All companies except Elon Musk’s X have agreed to comply. Musk criticized the policy as “a backdoor way to control internet access for all Australians,” and a High Court challenge is pending.
To evaluate the impact of the restrictions, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has commissioned Stanford University and a team of 11 researchers to study thousands of affected children over at least two years.
Experts suggest the policy could signal “the end of unrestrained social media,” noting that platforms may face slower user growth and reduced screen time. While companies argue that revenue from under-16 users is minimal, they warn that the ban could disrupt the development of future audiences. Government data indicates that 86% of Australians aged 8–15 used social media prior to the ban.
