Australia Implements Ban on Social Media Use by Children 0 6

Australia has become the first country to introduce such a ban.

From now on, children under the age of 16 in Australia are prohibited from creating accounts on social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and YouTube.

Platforms have one year to develop solutions for implementing age restrictions. In case of non-compliance with the ban, they face substantial fines.

Eased conditions are provided for messengers such as WhatsApp, email, online games, and various educational tools, as they may be necessary for children and teenagers for studying, leisure, or other reasons.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that he is proud of this ban. In his opinion, it is one of the most significant social and cultural changes that have occurred in Australia.

The new law will help ensure children have a normal childhood, give parents peace of mind, and serve as an example for other countries, the Prime Minister believes.

Countries considering the introduction of similar laws are expected to closely monitor the implementation of the ban in Australia.

Critics argue that the ban is disproportionate, and it is already being challenged in the Supreme Court. Many believe that teenagers will simply move to other platforms where risks are even harder to control.

"It won't be perfect. These are big changes," Albanese acknowledged. "The success is that it is happening. The success is in the very fact that we have this discussion."