TV9
user profile
Sign In

By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Subscribe Whatsapp Channel
Bihar 2025 India Sports Tech World Business Career Religion Entertainment LifeStyle Photos Shorts Education Science Cities Videos

Attention users: Australia bans social media use for children under 16

The law also requires platforms to verify users' ages before granting access to their services. However, exceptions apply to apps used primarily for learning, communication, and professional purposes. The exempted platforms include WhatsApp, Discord, Roblox, YouTube Kids, LEGO PLAY, GitHub, Messenger, Steam, Steam Chat, and Google Classroom. According to the legislation, these platforms are considered comparatively safer and offer limited public sharing and exposure to harmful content.

Australia banned social media use for children under the age of 16
Australia banned social media use for children under the age of 16 Credit:Representative Image ( Canva)
| Updated on: Nov 10, 2025 | 11:18 AM

New Delhi: Australia’s Prime Minister announced on Monday a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 to ensure their safety. The new regulation, part of the Online Safety Amendment Bill 2024, will come into force on November 10, 2025.

Under the amended act, any minor below the age of 16 is not legally permitted to create or maintain accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, and Kick. The central authorities stated that the law aims to protect children from the harmful effects of social media, including cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.

Also Read
A pre-dawn tremor shakes northern Pakistan, prompting concern across several regions.
Tremors shake northern Pakistan as 5.2-magnitude quake strikes near Afghanistan border
Scenes at the venue of the COP30 Summit in Brazil's Belem after the blaze started
Brazil: Fire disrupts COP30 Summit in Belem, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav among those evacuated
On November 19, six Gen Z supporters were injured, and the group lodged a complaint against six UML cadres over the confrontation at Simara Chowk, near the Simara airport.
Nepal Gen-Z protest returns: Authorities impose curfew as demonstrations resurge

Which apps are exempted

The law also requires platforms to verify users’ ages before granting access to their services. However, exceptions apply to apps used primarily for learning, communication, and professional purposes. The exempted platforms include WhatsApp, Discord, Roblox, YouTube Kids, LEGO PLAY, GitHub, Messenger, Steam, Steam Chat, and Google Classroom. According to the legislation, these platforms are considered comparatively safer and offer limited public sharing and exposure to harmful content.

Authorities noted that most major social media companies currently do not meet the exemption criteria. Any platform that fails to comply with the new rules will face hefty fines and penalties, and may be barred from operating within the Australian digital ecosystem.

About the Online Safety Amendment Bill

The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 is an Australian law that requires social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts. The bill, which amends the Online Safety Act 2021, aims to protect young people from online harms, including mental health impacts.

The amendment was introduced in response to widespread concern about the negative effects of social media on children’s mental health, citing issues such as cyberbullying, unhealthy comparisons, and increased rates of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

{{ articles_filter_432_widget.title }}