Australia’s social media ban: A global game-changer or a lone ranger?

Last month, Australia became the first country to ban social media for under-16s - a bold move in a world where TikTok and Instagram dominate teenage life.  

The law prohibits anyone under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and X, and requires tech companies to take “reasonable steps” to verify users’ ages or face hefty fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. 

The policy hinges on age checks, with platforms expected to use tools like AI-driven facial scans and ID verification. Critics warn these methods raise privacy issues and aren’t foolproof. Tech-savvy teens can still bypass restrictions using VPNs or fake IDs, making enforcement a challenge. 

The government cites child protection as its core motive. Research from the 2024/25 eSafety Commissioner’s ‘Digital Use and Risk: Online Platform Engagement’ report shows 96% of Australian 10–15-year-olds use social media daily, with 70% exposed to harmful content and one in seven facing grooming attempts online.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the ban as a stand against Big Tech: “We’re taking back power from platforms that profit from our kids’ attention”. Evidence linking heavy social media use to anxiety, depression and poor sleep, alongside rising cyberbullying and predatory behaviour, tipped the scales. 

Advocates hail the ban as a milestone for child safety, predicting reduced screen time, better mental health and less cyberbullying. UNICEF Australia called it “a step towards creating safer digital spaces”. Initial reports suggest benefits: during the Bondi Beach terror attack on 14 December, under-16s were shielded from graphic footage circulating online - a stark reminder of the ban’s protective role. 

Researchers are tracking outcomes through the Connected Minds Study, led by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Deakin University, to measure changes in wellbeing, screen habits and social connectedness. Psychologists anticipate gains beyond mental health, including improved sleep, reduced bullying and stronger cognitive skills. Schools already report better concentration and more face-to-face interaction, echoing benefits seen in phone-free classrooms. 

Not everyone is convinced. Privacy advocates question facial recognition ethics, while others fear teens will migrate to less regulated platforms or underground networks, increasing risks. Experts caution that banning social media may not address root causes like peer pressure or lack of offline support. Enforcement is another hurdle: reports suggest some teens are already finding loopholes, and parents struggle to monitor compliance. The coming months will reveal whether Australia’s gamble pays off or becomes a cautionary tale. 

Globally, attention now turns to Westminster, as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch announced earlier this week that her party would ban under-16s from accessing social media platforms if they win power. She also said her party would also seek to ban smartphones, telling the BBC that many parents wanted to stop their children using social media but "don't know how". 

Under the Online Safety Act, platforms already face strict duties to protect children, yet campaigners argue these measures fall short. In a recent interview, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the government would review how Australia's ban works out, adding there was a need “to get the balance right here, making sure that young people are safe online as well as offline, but that they can also enjoy what's great about the digital world". 

Public opinion leans toward tougher action: a December 2025 YouGov poll found 74% of Brits support banning social media for under-16s. Former ministers and child safety groups are urging a review, citing Australia’s example as proof bold steps are possible. 

Still, the UK faces hurdles. Enforcement would require robust age verification, raising the same privacy concerns seen in Australia. Critics also warn bans could erode trust between young people and adults, driving risky behaviour underground. For now, the UK seems poised to watch and wait, but pressure is mounting. 

Australia’s ban is a world-first social experiment. France and Denmark are drafting similar laws, while other nations weigh child safety against digital freedom. If Australia succeeds, it could spark a domino effect. If it fails, it may strengthen arguments for education and parental guidance over prohibition. 

So, is this the dawn of a new era in online safety, or a well-intended miscalculation? One thing is certain: the debate about kids, screens and mental health isn’t going away. As Australia tests the limits of regulation, the rest of the world must decide whether to follow - or forge - a different path.