Australia's social media ban for children under 16 is set to become law after passing both houses of Parliament, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to online safety for young people12. The legislation, which is expected to be among the strictest in the world, will require social media companies to take "reasonable steps" to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram13.

Key aspects of the ban include:

• Fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for non-compliant social media companies

• A 12-month implementation period to allow companies time to comply

• No penalties for young people or parents who flout the rules

• Prohibition on forcing users to provide government identification for age verification

• Exemptions for essential services like educational platforms and health services13

The ban has garnered significant attention globally, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating that leaders from the United States and Europe are closely observing Australia's efforts in this area4. However, the legislation has also faced criticism from tech companies, independent bodies, and non-profit organizations, who argue that alternative approaches, such as imposing a legal duty of care on social media companies or improving digital literacy education, might be more effective in protecting children online13.

The Australian government's legislation to ban social media access for children under 16 includes several key implementation strategies and exemptions to address privacy and practical concerns. Social media companies are tasked with taking "reasonable steps" to prevent underage account creation without compelling users to provide government-issued ID, which has raised questions about the technical feasibility of such measures12. To navigate these challenges, the government has initiated an Age Assurance Technology Trial, aiming to identify effective age verification methods by mid-20252.

Exemptions within the legislation ensure that essential services remain accessible to young users. Platforms used for educational purposes, like Google Classroom, and health services such as Headspace are not subject to the ban. Additionally, YouTube Kids is likely exempted, while mainstream platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are included in the restrictions3. These measures aim to protect children from potential online harms while maintaining access to beneficial digital resources23.

Recent polling has revealed strong public backing for Australia's social media ban for under-16s, with 77% of Australians supporting the measure1. Additionally, 87% of the population favors stronger penalties for social media companies that fail to comply with the new regulations1. This overwhelming public support aligns with the bipartisan approval in Parliament, where the legislation passed with 102 votes in favor and only 13 against in the House of Representatives2. The broad consensus among both the public and lawmakers underscores the perceived urgency of addressing concerns about social media's impact on young people's well-being.

Critics argue that Australia's social media ban for under-16s is rushed legislation that may have unintended consequences. Tech companies like Meta have expressed concerns about the implementation challenges and privacy risks associated with collecting personal identification data12. The legislation's broad definition of social media grants extensive power to the Communications Minister, potentially allowing bans on various online platforms3.

Mental health experts and child welfare advocates worry that the ban could isolate vulnerable young people, particularly in regional communities and among LGBTQI youth2. Some argue that regulating social media companies and improving digital literacy education would be more effective than a blanket ban14. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact on users' privacy, as age verification methods may require collecting sensitive personal information42.