Australia has officially banned children under 16 from using major social media platforms, making it the first country to take such a step.

Ten platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, must now block underage users or face fines of up to A$49.5 million.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the move a major step to protect young people from online harms such as bullying, misinformation, and unsafe content. The law is being closely watched by other countries considering similar restrictions.

Tech companies say they will verify ages through methods like selfie checks and age-inference tools. While many parents support the decision, some teenagers worry the ban may cut them off from communities and support groups they rely on.


Buy ExpressVPN with PayPal or Credit Card
Advertisement
READ
Spotify Adds Narrated Magazine Articles To Its Audio Platform