Australia has passed a landmark law that will prohibit children under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts. The legislation, which was approved by Australian senators this week, marks a significant step in regulating social media use among minors and is set to take effect in November 2025.

The new law is among the strictest in the world, requiring social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter) to implement robust age-verification systems to ensure that users are 16 or older. If social media companies fail to comply with these regulations, they could face hefty fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately £25 million).

To allow time for platforms to adjust to the new rules, a one-year grace period will be granted, giving companies until November 2026 to implement effective age-verification measures before any penalties are imposed.

The law aims to protect children from potential online harm, including cyberbullying, privacy violations, and exposure to inappropriate content. It also reflects growing concerns globally about the impact of social media on the mental health and well-being of young people.

While the law is a major milestone, it also raises questions about enforcement and the technical challenges of verifying users’ ages, particularly in the face of increasingly sophisticated methods for bypassing such measures. Social media companies will now face the challenge of balancing user privacy with regulatory compliance as they prepare to meet the new requirements.

Follow us on our socials @empfricfmradio for more updates.