Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promoted his government’s world-first ban on social media for teenagers under 16, calling it a necessary step to address the fast-changing risks of online platforms. He shared the message at the Protecting Children in the Digital Age event in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, noting that the challenge of keeping children safe online is “constantly evolving.”
The ban, which passed into law in November 2024, will take effect from December. It raises the minimum age to set up social media accounts from 13 to 16, making Australia the first country in the world to implement such restrictions.
Under the new rules, social media companies will be required to use artificial intelligence and behavioural data to estimate user age rather than blanket age-verification methods. “It isn’t foolproof, but it is a crucial step in the right direction,” Albanese said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced her support during the same event, saying she was “inspired by Australia’s example.” She added, “We in Europe are watching and will be learning from you … it is up to us to step up for the next generation.”
The Australian government cited research linking excessive social media use among young teens to harmful effects on mental health, including bullying, misinformation, and damaging body image standards.
Albanese described the initiative of social media ban as sensible but long overdue, designed to give young people more time away from algorithms. “The challenge we face is constantly evolving, and different countries are tackling it in different ways,” he said. The law, he added, will give Australian teens “three more years of being shaped by real-life experience, not algorithms.”
Governments and technology companies around the world are closely monitoring the rollout of the Australian model, with many viewing it as a potential blueprint for global child online safety standards.
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