Australia is proposing a major social media ban for children under 16

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a plan Thursday to ban social media in the country for people under the age of 16. If passed, the measure would create some of the strictest laws on minors’ use of social media in the world.

Under the law, which will be presented in parliament later this month and could come into effect as early as the end of 2025, children under the age of 16 would be excluded without exception from platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, even if they already have an account or are already have an account. parental consent.

This comes after almost 150 organizations in Australia sent an open letter to the government The country is being urged to tackle the dangers of social media for young people.

“This one is for the mothers and fathers. Social media is harming our children and I make time for it,” says Albanese. said at a news conference.

The ban would punish social media companies that keep young people under 16 off their platforms, but would not punish parents or children. Australia is working on an age verification system that could include biometrics or the use of government ID to help enforce the rule. In the United States, most social media platforms ban users under the age of 13, but there are exceptions for children with parental consent and enforcement of the rule is not strict.

The Digital Industry Group, which represents companies such as Meta and X, says it opposes the measure and believes it could block access to support services for young people. “Rather than blocking access through bans, we must take a balanced approach to creating age-appropriate spaces, building digital literacy and protecting young people from online harm,” a spokesperson for the group said . told Reuters.