No Social Media Before 16? Why the World Is Watching Australia

Effective December 10, Australia begins enforcing one of the world’s strictest social media rules for minors. Parents everywhere are paying attention

On December 10, all eyes will be on Australia as it becomes the first country to enforce a nationwide ban preventing kids under 16 from having social media accounts. First proposed in 2024, the law sparked global debate—opening conversations about digital safety, tech responsibility, and whether kids are simply spending too much of their childhood online. Now, with implementation day here, the world is waiting to see how far this bold move will go.

Social Media Apps Begin Deleting Accounts

Major tech platforms—including Meta—have already started deleting accounts belonging to users found to be under 16. Companies that fail to comply face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million).

Meta shared that teens who lose access will be able to download their online histories before their accounts are permanently removed. They will also be notified once they are old enough to return to the platforms.

More than one million teens across Australia are expected to be affected.

For many kids, the emotional impact has already begun. As Australia heads into summer break, 15-year-old Alyson Tolson told Reuters she worries about suddenly being disconnected:

“You’re basically isolated for about six weeks during the school holidays,” she said. “As it continues, I will probably feel more attached to social media. It’s not such a good time.”

And while platforms can remove accounts, there are lingering questions about how they can stop teens from simply creating new ones under fake ages—a challenge that tech companies themselves have acknowledged.

Challenges, Pushback, and Unanswered Questions

Though tech giants have expressed disagreement with the policy, most say they will comply.

Reddit, speaking to Agence-France Presse, said:

“While we disagree about the scope, effectiveness, and privacy implications of this law… we’re making some changes in line with these requirements.”

Meta echoed a similar concern in a statement to BBC:

“There’s a better way: legislation that empowers parents… allows families—not the government—to decide which apps teens can access.”

Civil liberty groups have also raised constitutional and human rights questions. The Digital Freedom Project filed a case before Australia’s High Court, calling the ban a “stupid, unconstitutional, blunt tool” that undermines freedom of speech, including for children.

As of November 27, Australia’s High Court has accepted the filing, though the case has yet to be heard.

Despite all the criticism, Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells has remained firm. She says her resolve strengthened after meeting parents who lost their children to suicide and believed social media played a role.

“I just felt the oxygen suck out of my body,” Wells said of her conversation with one grieving parent during an interview with the BBC. “In the face of that… I’m firm and unintimidated by those companies who continue to act the way they’ve acted for so long.”

The World Is Watching

The moment the clock strikes midnight on December 10, the ban takes effect. The coming weeks will almost certainly bring hiccups, loopholes, and enforcement challenges—but Australia is signaling something important: they are serious about keeping children safe online.

So what does this mean for families?

It may be an unexpected opportunity. The restriction could push families to reconnect offline—talking more, checking in emotionally, and being more present in each other’s lives. For kids, it may mean rediscovering childhood staples many parents grew up with: reading books, biking outside, playing with neighbors, and building friendships beyond the screen.

If Australia succeeds, it’s likely other countries will follow.

For now, the world waits, including the Philippines, which has also proposed restrictions in the Senate about restrictions—curious to see how this bold, controversial law will reshape digital childhood, family dynamics, and the global conversation around kids’ online safety.

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