In brief
Australia has taken unprecedented action by banning social media access for children under 16, requiring companies like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to ensure compliance. While the move is celebrated by many parents and advocates for child safety, teenagers express discontent and skepticism regarding its effectiveness. Some teens have already found ways to bypass the restrictions, raising concerns about the enforcement and practical implications of the law.
Australia's world-first social media ban for children has taken effect, with throngs of teenagers waking up to find their accounts have gone dark. Others tell BBC they have already snuck past barriers and will continue scrolling and posting freely until they are caught.
The new law means social media firms - including Meta, TikTok and YouTube - must take 'reasonable steps' to ensure Australians aged under 16 don't hold accounts on their platforms. The ban, eyed with excitement by global leaders and trepidation by tech companies, was justified as necessary to protect children from harmful content and algorithms - though critics have argued blanket prohibition is neither practical nor wise.
This landmark policy has been one of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's pet projects, and speaking to media on Wednesday he said he believed it has the power to change lives around the world. Various governments, from the US state of Florida to the European Union, have been experimenting with limiting children's use of social media. But, along with a higher age limit of 16, Australia is the first jurisdiction to deny an exemption for parental approval in a policy like this - making its laws the world's strictest.
Countries like Denmark, Malaysia, Singapore, Greece and Brazil are among those who have said they're looking at Australia as a test case. The Australian government has named 10 social media platforms as a start, including all of the most popular ones, and warned others it's coming for them next. Online safety regulator, Julie Inman Grant, said her agency will start checking compliance from Thursday.
Polling shows the ban is wildly popular with parents, who hope it will help reduce cyberbullying and child exploitation. However, it is far less popular with children. Backed by some mental health advocates, many argue it robs young people of crucial connections and that better education on safe usage may provide a more balanced solution.
Experts are worried kids are going to circumvent the ban with relative ease, potentially exposing themselves to more unsafe online environments. Critics have called for enhanced moderation and education over outright bans, voicing concerns about its implications and effectiveness.
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