Australia Becomes 1st Country to Ban Kids Under 16 From Social Media, Forcing Instagram, TikTok to Shut Down Accounts

Australia Becomes 1st Country to Ban Kids Under 16 From Social Media, Forcing Instagram, TikTok to Shut Down Accounts

Australia on Wednesday became the first country in the world to ban social media use for children under 16, requiring major platforms to block access for under-age users or face heavy fines.

The law takes effect at midnight (1300 GMT) and applies to ten major services including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Platforms that fail to comply risk penalties of up to A$49.5 million (about US$33 million).

According to the national regulator eSafety Commissioner, companies are expected to deploy a range of methods to enforce the age restriction — from analyzing user behavior to using selfie-based age estimation or identity and payment-linked checks. All affected platforms — including X (formerly Twitter) — have said they will comply, though some voiced concern over the requirement. “It’s not our choice – it’s what the Australian law requires,” X commented.

The government and child-safety advocates argue the ban aims to shield younger teens from documented harms linked to social media use, such as exposure to harmful content and mental-health risks. The move is now being closely watched globally, as other nations consider similar restrictions.

In Australia, the launch of the ban marks a landmark moment in efforts to regulate online safety for minors — and may signal a broader shift in how governments worldwide approach children’s access to social media.