Australia Passes Landmark Law Banning Social Media for Children Under 16

Australia passed a law banning social media use for children under 16, setting a global precedent for child safety online. The law, effective in November 2025, mandates age-verification protections and targets platforms like Meta’s Instagram and TikTok, with fines up to $32 million for non-compliance. The legislation, which gained broad political support despite opposition concerns, aims to address mental health issues linked to social media, including self-harming cases from online bullying. While 77% of Australians support the law, critics argue it could push young users to riskier online spaces. The move could also strain ties with the U.S. and Big Tech companies.