Australia's Bold Move: The Social Media Ban for Children

Tue Dec 09 2025 05:04:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Australia sets a precedent with a groundbreaking ban on social media access for users under 16, raising concerns and prompting reactions from tech giants.

Australia's forthcoming legislation banning social media access for children under 16 is stirring debate among industry leaders and experts. Amid increasing scrutiny of social media harms on youth, the ban aims to safeguard mental health. However, tech companies argue it may pose risks to children's safety and advocate for parental control instead. Critics highlight the ongoing need for accountability in addressing social media's impact on children.

When Stephen Scheeler became Facebook's Australia chief in the early 2010s, he was a true believer in the power of the internet, and social media, for public good.

It would herald a new era of global connection and democratise learning. It would let users build their own public squares without the traditional gatekeepers.

There was that heady optimism phase when I first joined and I think a lot of the world shared that, he told the BBC.

But by the time he left the firm in 2017, seeds of doubt about its work had been planted, and they've since bloomed.

There's lots of good things about these platforms, but there's just too much bad stuff, he surmises.

That's no longer an uncommon view as scrutiny of the largest social media companies has increased around the globe. A lot of it has centred on teenagers, who have emerged as a lucrative market for incredibly wealthy global firms - at the expense of their mental health and wellbeing, according to critics.

As various governments experiment with limiting children's social media use, Australia is preparing to enact the most radical step yet: a ban for under-16s that has tech companies scrambling.

Firms have protested against the new law for a year, arguing it jeopardizes children's safety, raises rights concerns, and questions the tech methods that will enforce it.

Critics, including Paul Taske from NetChoice, claim that such a blanket ban will further isolate youth from information.

Moreover, industry insiders worry that this could inspire other nations to follow suit, with some already expressing interest in Australia’s approach.

As tech companies gather to lobby against the legislation, many experts and lawmakers expect the conversation surrounding social media's responsibility to take a concrete turn towards accountability and improved safety features.

While social media firms have begun introducing safer versions of their platforms for younger users, concerns remain about their effectiveness and the overall impact on children's mental health.

This clash between legislative action and corporate interests may mark a pivotal moment in how social media operates worldwide, signaling a shift towards stricter regulations and a growing demand for transparency and responsibility.