Australia has officially become global’s first-mover country by enforcing a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16, starting Wednesday (December 10, 2025).
Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook have been ordered to block access for underage users from midnight, with non-compliance inviting penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($33 million). The decision has split opinion-tech giants and free speech advocates have criticised the mandate, while parents and child-safety groups are treating it as a long-awaited win.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “a proud day” for families, framing the legislation as a turning point that finally reins in online harms that have been growing beyond traditional controls. “This is the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies,” Mr. Albanese told ABC News.
He added, “New technology can do wonderful things, but we need to make sure that humans are in control of our own destiny, and that is what this is about.”
Ahead of the summer school break, Albanese will also appear in a video message across schools, encouraging children to “start a new sport, new instrument, or read that book that has been sitting there for some time on your shelf.”
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This rollout comes after months of heated debate on whether such a ban is practical in a world where social media is intertwined with daily life. Now, Australia becomes the real-time test case for governments worldwide that have been growing increasingly frustrated with platforms’ sluggish approach to safety. Countries including Denmark, New Zealand and Malaysia are already watching closely, considering whether to adopt similar models.
X’s position in this step
Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s X was the last of the major platforms to fall in line, confirming compliance on Wednesday. “It’s not our choice - it’s what the Australian law requires,” the company stated, adding, “X automatically offboards anyone who does not meet our age requirements.” Australian authorities have also confirmed that this initial list of platforms may evolve as new apps emerge and teens shift online spaces.
