Australia proposes 'world-leading' ban on social media for under-16s

No exemptions for parental consent, age-verification system being trialled

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SYDNEY - The Australian government will legislate for a ban on social media for children under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Nov 7, in what it calls a world-leading package of measures that could become law in late 2025.

Australia is trialling an age-verification system to assist in blocking children from accessing social media platforms, as part of a range of measures that include some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.

"Social media is doing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it," Mr Albanese told a news conference.

He cited the risks to the physical and mental health of children from excessive use of social media, in particular the risks to girls from harmful depictions of body image, and misogynist content aimed at boys.

"If you're a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, at a time where you're going through life's changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time and what we're doing is listening and then acting," he said.