Inside Australia's under-16 social media ban
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the law as a “world-first” aimed at protecting childhood and limiting the “direct impact of social media causing harm.” He said the measure would allow children to “just have their childhood” and give parents “greater peace of mind.”
Australia's ban on social media use for people under 16 is drawing mixed reactions from young users and creating early enforcement challenges for platforms, as the government positions the legislation as a "world-leading" move to reduce online harm.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the law as a "world-first" aimed at protecting childhood and limiting the "direct impact of social media causing harm." He said the measure would allow children to "just have their childhood" and give parents "greater peace of mind."
But teens affected by the restrictions say the ban is disrupting communication, driving them to alternative apps, or encouraging them to find workarounds. Fifteen-year-old Breanna, who lives 30 km from her closest friend, said that when apps such as Snapchat are removed, "so is our communication." Others expressed frustration over lost accounts and limited access to peer networks, says the BBC.
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Some teens are already trying to bypass the rules. Reports indicate increased use of VPNs, new account creation and a shift to lesser-known platforms. Apple's app store data showed a spike in downloads for alternative apps including Lemon8, Yope and Coverstar. One 15-year-old, Lulu, said she had created a new account after being locked out of her existing one.
Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged that VPNs are a current loophole but said it "won't stay open forever." Regulators have instructed platforms to carry out ongoing checks to identify underage users, using behavioural and location signals rather than relying on one-time verification.
The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said she had "every confidence" that the tech industry can enforce the restrictions but warned that cases of teens finding gaps in the system are likely to continue. Albanese also noted that implementation "won't be perfect."
The government argues that the ban is needed to reduce exposure to harmful content, protect children during a critical "rewiring period" of brain development and encourage more offline social interaction. Officials expect the reform to "reverberate around the world" and predict other governments will follow Australia's lead.
Teen perspectives remain divided. Some, like Florence Brodribb, 12, support the move, arguing that young people "deserve the chance to figure out who we are without algorithms telling us what to like, what to think, and how to feel." Others, including 13-year-old Amy, say the policy is a "blunt instrument that carries significant collateral damage," calling instead for stronger education and digital-literacy programs.
Critics warn that the ban could push young users into unregulated online spaces, complicating the government's goal of reducing risk.
Despite the early tensions, officials say the measure's success lies partly in prompting global attention to youth online safety. "The world will follow," Inman Grant said, comparing the reform to Australia's past influence on issues including plain tobacco packaging and gun regulation.
