Australia tests toughest social media age ban
World
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Moneycontrol09-12-2025, 13:20

Australia's Under-16 Social Media Ban: Protection or Peril?

  • Australia has banned children under 16 from major social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
  • Tech companies must enforce the ban with age and identity checks, facing fines up to A$50 million for non-compliance.
  • The law aims to address concerns about youth mental health, body image, and online bullying, serving as a global test case.
  • Challenges include teens finding workarounds, tech companies warning of unintended consequences, and a High Court challenge on civil liberties.
  • The legislation was partly influenced by Robb Evans' story, whose daughter's suicide was linked to harmful social media content.

Why It Matters: Australia's U16 social media ban is a global test case for online child safety.

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