Australia leads the way in banning social media for children under 16
In an unprecedented move, Australia has passed a law that prohibits children under 16 from accessing social networks such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. The legislation, which will take effect in 2025, imposes fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (32 million US dollars) on platforms that do not meet age verification requirements. This measure seeks to safeguard young people against risks associated with social networks, such as cyberbullying, addiction and exposure to harmful content. However, it has sparked a heated debate both inside and outside Australia. The technology industry has expressed its strong rejection of the new legislation, arguing that it was developed hastily and without properly consulting the main affected parties, including young people themselves. Companies such as Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, have called the law “ineffective” in meeting their goal of protecting minors. TikTok, for its part, has pointed out that the definition of “social media platforms” included in the law is too broad and ambiguous, which could lead to confusion in its implementation. In addition, these companies have highlighted existing security measures, such as parental controls and functions to limit the time of use, arguing that these options should be reinforced instead of imposing generalized restrictions.
The fine for technology companies could reach 49 million dollars
Beyond local criticism, the approval of this law is being watched closely by other countries, underlining its global impact. In Europe, France recently adopted a regulation requiring parental consent for children under 15 to access social networks, but its application has faced significant technical challenges. Similarly, in the United States, states such as Florida and Utah have tried to implement restrictive laws, although some have been rescinded as unconstitutional. The Australian case marks a turning point, as it sets the world's highest age standard and could influence how other nations approach digital regulation.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has defended the law as a necessary step to protect children, comparing it to historic restrictions such as laws against the consumption of alcohol by minors. “We don't argue that the implementation will be perfect, but we know it's the right thing to do,” Albanese said. However, critics argue that restrictions could push young people into less regulated corners of the Internet, such as clandestine forums and encrypted messaging services, increasing risks rather than mitigating them.
As for implementation, the government plans to test various age verification technologies over the next few months, although these tools have raised concerns among privacy advocates. Australia's electronic security commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has assured that big technology companies have the resources and capacity to meet the new requirements, given that they already use sophisticated systems for advertising segmentation. Despite these guarantees, experts warn that technological solutions may not be completely effective and raise questions about the protection of users' personal data.
A global survey shows that 36 percent of Generation Z agrees with strict prohibitions such as the one imposed in Australia
This legislation also highlights a growing disconnect between generations. Many young people consider that social networks are essential for building relationships, expressing themselves and accessing communities that they would not find in their immediate environment. In this regard, some youth rights advocates criticize that the law not only ignores the perspectives of minors, but also excludes them from the decision-making process that directly affects their lives. Leo Puglisi, a 17-year-old Australian teenager, summarized this sentiment: “It doesn't remove harmful content; it just postpones the problem until we turn 16.”
The impact of the Australian measure is felt beyond its borders. Countries such as Norway and the United Kingdom have expressed interest in exploring similar measures, while international organizations analyze the potential of these laws to establish new global standards. While it remains to be seen how the ban will work in practice, the truth is that Australia has ignited a global debate about the balance between protecting young people and guaranteeing their rights in the digital age.
