Australia promulgated a The law prohibiting the access of children under the age of 16 to social networksimplementing one of the strictest measures in the world against the use of the Internet by minors.

The new legislation has sparked a fierce debate in the country about the possible effects on child safety, online freedom, censorship and technology policies.

The law on the minimum age for social networks, approved after a heated debate in parliament, requires platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to block users under 16 or face fines up to $49.5m (£25.7m).

A methods-of-enforcement trial is set for January, with the ban taking effect in a year.

The law was supported by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who presented it as a necessary measure to protect children from the harmful effects of excessive social media use.

“Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure that the safety of our children is a priority for them,” he said. “We’re making sure moms and dads can have a different conversation today and in the days to come.”

The ban is absolute, unlike similar measures in EU countries, where minors can still access social networks with parental permission.

Critics say the law was rushed through without proper scrutiny, but supporters see it as a critical step to protect young people.

Why the ban?

There is growing evidence linking social media use to declining mental health, particularly among teenagers. In pushing for the law, Mr Albanese highlighted specific risks such as body image issues for girls and exposure to misogynistic content for boys.

The campaign leading up to the introduction of the bill saw testimonies from parents who had lost children to social media bullying bolstering public support.

A national poll indicated that 77% of Australians supported the legislation.

Media platforms, including Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, ran campaigns such as Let them be children to galvanize support for the law.

But public reaction to the law’s passage was deeply divided.

Some Australians see the new law as a much-needed intervention. “I think it’s a great idea because social media isn’t really suitable for kids,” Sydney resident Francesca Sambas said, “they can look at things they shouldn’t.”

But many consider it an overload.

“I feel very angry. I feel like this government has taken democracy and thrown it out the window,” said Shon Klose, 58, another Sydney resident.

Social media companies have criticized Australia’s ban, arguing it may push children into online spaces that are far less regulated.

A TikTok the spokesman said the rushed legislation ignored expert advice. “The ban is very likely to see young people pushed into the darker corners of the internet, where there are no community rules, safety tools or protections,” they said.

How does Australian law compare globally?

• United Kingdom There are currently no plans to introduce similar restrictions, but digital minister Peter Kyle said “everything is on the table” when it comes to ensuring online safety. He commissioned a study to examine the impact of smartphone use and social media, particularly on children. Mr Kyle also stressed that Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, must prioritize government concerns such as safety by design, transparency and accountability by implementing the Online Safety Act from next year. The law, passed in 2023, sets stricter standards for social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, including enforcing age-appropriate restrictions.

• Norway proposed raising the age at which children can independently agree to their social media terms from 13 to 15. The government also announced a plan to introduce a legal minimum age for social media use. It is not clear when such a law could be presented to parliament. Government data shows that half of nine-year-olds in Norway use some form of social media.

• eu legislation requires parental consent for technology companies to process the personal data of children under the age of 16. Member States are free to reduce this limit to 13.

• France passed legislation last year requiring social media platforms to obtain parental consent before allowing children under 15 to create online accounts, but technical challenges have delayed its enforcement. Earlier this year, a panel commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron recommended stricter measures, such as banning mobile phones for children under 11 and internet devices for those under 13. It is not clear when or if the recommendations will be adopted.

• Germany allows children between the ages of 13 and 16 to use social media only with parental consent. There is no plan for further restrictions, although child protection advocates argue that existing rules need better enforcement.

• Belgium enacted a law in 2018 requiring children to be at least 13 years old to create social media accounts without parental permission.

• Netherlands has no legislation setting a minimum age for social media use. However, mobile devices will be banned from classrooms from January 2024 to minimize distractions. Exceptions apply for digital lessons, disabilities or medical needs.

• Italy requires children under 14 to have parental consent to create social media accounts. Parental consent is not required after children turn 14.

Implications for privacy, freedom, and control of technology

The legislation has drawn criticism from privacy advocates, who warn of increased data collection risks. The Australian Human Rights Commission has expressed concern about the potential infringement of young people’s rights to participate in society.

“Platforms can require users to upload identification documents, opening the way for digital surveillance,” warned Sunita Bose, managing director of the Digital Industry Group, which represents major social media firms. A recent change now requires platforms to offer alternative verification methods.

Internationally, the ban could strain Australia’s relations with the US, where Elon Musk, the owner of X, called it “a backdoor way to control internet access for all Australians”.

Challenges in law enforcement

Implementing the ban raises significant hurdles. Critics say the government has yet to clarify how platforms should verify the age of users without compromising privacy. Excluding platforms such as YouTube, widely used in schools, further complicates enforcement.

Some experts fear that tech-savvy teenagers will circumvent the restrictions. “It’s just going to create a generation of young people who are going to be more technologically trained to get around these walls,” Sydney student Enie Lam, 16, said.

Parents’ hopes and concerns

Parenting groups largely applauded the initiative, with anti-bullying lawyer Ali Halkic saying: “Putting an age limit and giving parents back control is a starting point.”

But many young Australians worry they will lose their vital online communities. LGBTQIA and migrant teens in particular depend on social media for support and self-expression. Critics warn that the ban could inadvertently isolate these vulnerable groups.

Additional reporting by agencies