Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s: A New Precedent

In December 2025, Australia implemented a ban on social media accounts for users under the age of 16, affecting platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and others. Following the introduction of this legislation, Meta announced the deactivation of over 544,000 accounts believed to belong to teenagers across its platforms, with 330,639 on Instagram, 173,497 on Facebook, and 39,916 on Threads. The ban requires platforms to self-assess their compliance, and while the Australian government acknowledges that the implementation may not be flawless, it aims to protect young users from potential harm associated with social media.

The GuardianThe GuardianGovernment signals no immediate plans for under-16s social media ban

The Australian government, led by the eSafety commissioner, is monitoring the effectiveness of the ban. However, the opposition, represented by shadow communications minister Melissa McIntosh, criticized the rollout, stating that many under-16 accounts remain active and that some users have migrated to platforms not covered by the ban, such as Yope and Lemon8. Meta has expressed concerns regarding the challenges of accurately verifying users' ages online and has called for constructive engagement with the government to explore alternative solutions.

The Guardian

The Australian ban has garnered international attention, prompting discussions in the UK about similar measures. Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK Conservative Party, has expressed support for a ban on social media for under-16s, citing concerns over addiction and mental health. Badenoch's proposal aligns with growing pressure on the UK government to take action, although Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously opposed such measures. The Conservative Party's stance includes potential legislation that would enforce age verification tools on social media platforms and restrict smartphone use in schools.

The Guardian

Critics of the Australian ban, including members of the opposition, argue that its implementation has been inadequate, with many accounts still active and teens finding ways to circumvent the restrictions. McIntosh highlighted that the ban's effectiveness is compromised as children transition to unregulated platforms. Additionally, the UK Labour government faces internal dissent regarding the proposed ban, with some members advocating for stronger protections for children online.

The Guardian

• “Badenoch told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “What we are seeing is a lot of children spending so many hours a day on platforms that are profiting from their anxiety, from their distraction, and they are actually designed to be addictive.” — Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Leader

The Guardian

• “Ongoing compliance with the law will be a multi-layered process that we will continue to refine, though our concerns about determining age online without an industry standard remain,” — Meta Blog Post

The Guardian

As Australia’s social media ban continues to unfold, its outcomes will likely influence similar legislative efforts in other countries, particularly in the UK. The effectiveness of the ban and the responses from both the public and tech companies will be closely monitored, potentially shaping future policies aimed at protecting children in the digital space.

The Guardian