Australia Enacts World's Strictest Social Media Ban for Under-16s
2025-01-31
Australia has implemented one of the world's strictest internet crackdowns, prohibiting children under 16 from using social media or creating new accounts. The law, effective in a year, holds social media companies accountable for verifying users' ages, with penalties reaching nearly $50 million for non-compliance. Facing opposition from tech companies citing free speech concerns and the potential for driving kids to unregulated online spaces, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, is tasked with enforcement. The approach, drawing global attention, aims to shift responsibility for online child safety from parents to platforms, similar to past automotive safety regulations.