Australia wants to impose the strictest social media ban for kids yet

TikTok icon
(Image credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Australia's government introduced a bill that would ban social media for kids under 16 years old.
  • The proposed ban is the first of is kind and would be the strictest to date, with no exceptions for parental consent or existing accounts.
  • While the government recognizes some kids will find workarounds, it's committed to implementing thorough age verification systems that could require government ID or biometrics.

Australia today introduced a bill that would impose a far-reaching ban on social media for children under 16, if it passes parliament, according to Reuters. In many ways, the ban would be the strictest to date.

By making 16 years of age the minimum for social media use, Australia is proposing the highest minimum age set by a country. Additionally, it wants to fine social media platforms up to $32 million for their role in reaching children, if they try and thwart the proposed restrictions.

"This is a landmark reform," said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a statement to Reuters. "We know some kids will find workarounds, but we're sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act."

Instagram logo on a smartphone lying flat on a table

(Image credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)

Australia is currently governed by a center-left majority in parliament, the Labor party, but Reuters reports the opposition Liberal party plans to support the proposed bill as well. Some members of government, such as the Green party and undefended members of parliament, are waiting for more details before throwing their support behind the potential social media ban. However, with the majority and Liberal party in tow, this proposed bill has a real chance of becoming law.

Compared to current regulations in France and the U.S., Australia's proposed bill would provide no exceptions for social media use by children under 16. Meanwhile, kids can dodge France's social media ban by gaining parental consent. The U.S. has rules requiring parental consent for data collection from kids under 13, but it doesn't have a strict social media ban for children at this time.

Australia's ban has the potential to be most effective because it can't be skirted by gaining parental consent. Under the proposed law, no child under 16 can access social media services — regardless if they have parental consent or an existing account. The country plans to test an age verification system that could use biometrics or government ID as a way to curb social media use by minors.

While the legislators are aware that some kids will find ways around the government ban, the stringent restrictions mean that it could have a real effect on social media use by children. Additionally, legislators seem to have introduced this bill to start holding social media companies accountable, while also getting young children off their platforms. TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are just a few apps and sites that would be affected.

Brady Snyder
Contributor

Brady is a tech journalist for Android Central, with a focus on news, phones, tablets, audio, wearables, and software. He has spent the last three years reporting and commenting on all things related to consumer technology for various publications. Brady graduated from St. John's University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. His work has been published in XDA, Android Police, Tech Advisor, iMore, Screen Rant, and Android Headlines. When he isn't experimenting with the latest tech, you can find Brady running or watching Big East basketball.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
A graphic on YouTube's bets for 2025.
YouTube wants to use machine learning to figure out who's lying about their age
TikTok app logo on Android
With a US ban almost here, what can save TikTok?
TikTok app logo on Android
TikTok announces it is in the process of restoring service in the US
Google Wallet app on loading screen
Kids with Android phones can now tap and pay with Google Wallet
DeepSeek AI Assistant chatbot running on Nubia Z70 Ultra against custom gaming chassis
Data Protection Day is a great day to stop using DeepSeek
Demonstrating the many ways to download TikTok on an Android phone while an iPhone sits face down
TikTok is back, but Android users never missed out in the first place
Latest in Apps & Software
The promotional image for Google Workspace feature drops.
The March Workspace feature drop upgrades Gemini's note-taking and translation tools
YouTube Music home screen
YouTube Music's personalized radio stations are getting even smarter
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Home Screen - 16x9
Heads up — Samsung's detailed One UI 7 rollout schedule for Galaxy appears
The old Android logo at Google's Pier 57 building in New York City
Report claims Google may move to 'privately' develop Android's future
Comparing the display size on the Samsung Galaxy S25 with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
What you need to know about One UI 7: Software is hard
The Google Maps logo at the Google Maps Street View Garage
Google Maps might predict more than just the traffic for you soon
Latest in News
The promotional image for Google Workspace feature drops.
The March Workspace feature drop upgrades Gemini's note-taking and translation tools
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display
New leak shows off Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in 'Titanium' variants
YouTube Music home screen
YouTube Music's personalized radio stations are getting even smarter
The back of the Obsidian Google Pixel 9 Pro
Some Pixel owners had a delayed start, thanks to alarm clock failures
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Home Screen - 16x9
Heads up — Samsung's detailed One UI 7 rollout schedule for Galaxy appears
The old Android logo at Google's Pier 57 building in New York City
Report claims Google may move to 'privately' develop Android's future