Australia’s Social Media Ban: What is it Hoping to Protect Against?
Early consequences and effects of the social media ban for children in Australia are now available, what can we learn?
Australia’s decision to ban social media access for children under the age of 16 marks a significant moment in the global debate on digital regulation. Framed as a measure to protect young people from online harm, the move has been welcomed by many parents and policymakers. Yet, beneath its reassuring intent lies a set of questions that deserve closer scrutiny.
What was the law intended to do?
The law, passed by the Australian Parliament in late 2024, places the responsibility of enforcement on social media platforms themselves. Companies such as Meta, TikTok, X, Snapchat and others now face penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million if they fail to prevent under-16 users from creating or maintaining accounts. According to government estimates, nearly one million Australian teenagers are directly affected by this decision. For a country where over 95 percent of households have internet access, the scale of this intervention is unprecedented.
The government’s concern is not unfounded. Official data from the Australian eSafety Commissioner shows that almost 60 percent of Australian children aged 13 to 15 have encountered harmful content online, including bullying, harassment or exposure to disturbing material. Mental health surveys conducted by national agencies also point to a rise in anxiety and body-image issues linked to excessive social media use. In that sense, the impulse to act is understandable.
Problems and Loopholes in the Law
However, a blanket ban raises practical and ethical concerns. Age verification is weak. Most platforms rely on self-declared ages or imperfect digital checks. Stricter methods could require sensitive personal data, creating new privacy risks for minors. Effectiveness is also questionable. Within days, VPN usage in Australia spiked, showing many young users sought ways around the restrictions. When access is blocked without addressing behaviour, regulation often pushes users into less controlled spaces instead of keeping them safe.
Drawbacks of the Ban
Beyond enforcement, the ban reshapes how young people participate in public life. Social media today is not merely entertainment; it is where political awareness begins, where social movements form, and where voices are heard. Removing teenagers entirely from these spaces risks excluding them from conversations that increasingly shape civic and cultural life. Australia’s decision will likely influence other countries considering similar measures. As the first democracy to take such a sweeping step, it has become a test case for digital governance. The outcome will matter not just for Australia, but for how governments worldwide approach the challenge of online harm.
Protecting children online is necessary. But protection should not come at the cost of oversimplification. Regulation works best when it is targeted, enforceable and supported by education, platform accountability and parental engagement. A complete ban may offer immediate reassurance, but whether it delivers long-term safety remains an open question.
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