Although Australia’s social media ban for under-16s won’t come into full effect until December 10, teens are now downloading their Instagram, Facebook and Threads content after Meta announced it will be scrubbing their accounts a week early.
ICYMI, Australia will be the first in the world to implement a social media ban for children and teenagers under the age of 16. With the ban, some of the biggest social media platforms on the net must take steps to prevent Aussies under 16 from making accounts.
If the tech giants fail to take “reasonable steps” to stop under-16s from hopping online they could be hit with a massive fine.
So, with the ban slated to set in on December 10, here’s everything you need to know about Australia’s world-first social media ban.
What is Australia’s social media ban?
In November 2024, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 officially passed by the Senate.
This means social media platforms — such as Facebook, Snapchat, X, Instagram and Tumblr — must take steps to prevent Aussies under the age of 16 from having accounts.
Why is there a social media ban?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the ban was put forward due to growing concerns surrounding youth health, wellbeing and the impact of excessive screentime.
“Social media is causing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it,” Albo said in a November 2024 press conference.
“I want parents to be able to say, ‘Sorry, mate, it’s against the law’.”
And it will now officially become law.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 28, 2024
We're doing everything we can to keep our kids safe. pic.twitter.com/1Eiy8pv7av
When does Australia’s social media ban start?
Australia’s social media ban will come into effect on December 10, 2025. However, Meta — which owns Instagram, Facebook and Threads — announced it will begin to delete the accounts of under-16 users on December 4, a week before the ban kicks in.
Meta has urged under-16 users to download their content before it gets wiped forever.
What social media websites will be impacted by the ban?
Per ABC News, social media platforms that will be impacted by the ban include:
- TikTok
- SnapChat
- YouTube
- X
- Kick
- Threads
These platforms could cop fines of up to $49.5 million if they take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from having accounts.
However, services such as messaging, email, voice calling, video calling, online games, education and health services, professional networking and professional development services and services that provide information about products and servcies will be exempt from the ban.
What happens if someone under 16 has access to social media after the ban?
To put it shortly, nothing will happen to the kids or parents. The penalty — which could be a fine of up to $50 million — would fall onto the tech giants if they don’t take “reasonable steps” to keep kids off its platforms.
How have people responded to Australia’s social media ban?
Following its warning earlier this week, Meta Australia managing director Will Easton said it agreed with keeping children safe. However, the ban has brought in some “challenges”.
“We share the government’s goal of creating safer, age-appropriate online experiences; however, blanket bans bring their own set of challenges,” Easton said, per 9News.
“We have invested in tools and protections to help keep young people safe online, and we will continue to advocate for solutions that balance safety, privacy, and the positive connections young Australians find on our platforms.”
Content creators at the 2024 TikTok Awards had a mixed bag of opinions surrounding the ban, with TikTok juggernaut Anna Paul stating that social media is “so bad for your mental health”.
“Listen, if I was 15 I’d be like, ‘No, I hate it,’ but because I’m 25, I’m like yeah, do that,” she told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens on December 10, when it officially kicks in. But hey, atleast the kiddos will still have their Roblox, I guess?
The post Australia’s Under-16s Social Media Ban Is Looming, Here’s What You Need To Know appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
