Starting December 10, 2025, Australia will implement a ban on social media accounts for users under 16, aiming to protect young Australians from online risks and harmful content.

Overview of the Ban

The Australian Government has introduced a world-first legislation that prohibits individuals under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major social media platforms. This law, effective from December 10, 2025, is designed to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians by reducing their exposure to risks associated with social media, such as cyberbullying and harmful content.

 

Enforcement and Compliance
Social media companies will be held accountable for enforcing this ban. They must implement measures to verify the ages of their users and deactivate accounts of those who do not meet the age requirement. The Australian government has not yet finalized the specific methods for age verification, but options may include using government-issued IDs or other identification methods. 


Rationale Behind the Ban
The legislation aims to address the growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people's mental health. The government believes that the risks associated with social media usage, including exposure to inappropriate content and online predators, outweigh the benefits for users under 16. 


Conclusion
This ban represents a significant shift in how social media is regulated in Australia, with the potential to influence similar policies in other countries. As the implementation date approaches, further details on compliance and enforcement strategies are expected to be clarified by the government and the platforms involved.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from  BBC 2025-12=02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wondering how anyone could possibly enforce this?

I wish we could uninvent the smartphone. It's been deadly for educating children/young adults who know have the attention span of the average tic toc posting.

10 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Wondering how anyone could possibly enforce this?

With the compulsory Digital ID of course  to protect the children everyone must provide their ID. 

Another authoritarian left wing nanny state trying to assume the role of parent to interfere in the upbringing of other people's children.

 

19 minutes ago, johng said:

With the compulsory Digital ID of course  to protect the children everyone must provide their ID. 

 

Exactly.

 

Not only will digital ID stop illegal immigration, it will also save the children. 😄

 

Just ask Keir. 

there is likely a link between phone scrolling and attention disorder ADHD

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Wondering how anyone could possibly enforce this?

The onus is on the tech companies, I think it's their responsibility.

50 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Another authoritarian left wing nanny state trying to assume the role of parent to interfere in the upbringing of other people's children.

 

So banning inappropriate content on digital platforms for children under 16 is not OK?

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

Yep.

 

Similar to how it's the Mom and Pop shops responsibility not to make money by selling beer between 2pm and 5pm. 

I don't think that's the same. We're talking about major feedback from parents and eventually a government response.

1 minute ago, carlyai said:

So banning inappropriate content on digital platforms for children under 16 is not OK?

 

Strawman.

 

They are banning ALL social media content for under 16's. Not only inappropriate content. Some social media content is brilliant for children, YouTube for example has some wonderful content in the form of learning programs, documentaries etc. (and some poor content). 

 

The sledgehammer approach reminds me of something a third world country's government would do. But then it is a leftist government so that's to be expected. 

 

There is content on TV that is inappropriate for children as well, would you support banning all TV for kids under 16? How about banning all books because some of them contain graphic sexual content? Good idea?

 

 

16 minutes ago, carlyai said:

So banning inappropriate content on digital platforms for children under 16 is not OK?

Spotify usually gets included in these bans.

Could you explain what's dangerous about listening to music?

 

 

19 minutes ago, carlyai said:

I think it's their responsibility.

 

I think it's the parents responsibility to look after their kids  not the government or social media companies,  however this is not about children  this is about having everyone identified by digital ID if they want use the internet..as we all know the internet now includes banking,health,transport,tax and any other government service

in short they will mandate a digital ID   by hook or by crook

( to protect the children)

 

 

 

The government must take stronger control of the Internet to protect the greater good and safeguard our children's future. Let's prioritize their well-being and ensure a safer online environment for all.

3 minutes ago, nick supreme said:

The government must take stronger control of the Internet

Totally 100%  disagree !  the internet should stay free especially from government interference,  parents should protect their own children.

 

But as I said before this is not about children  this is a back door sneaky method to mandate  ID verification for everyone wanting to use the internet.

Once the government has this ID of everyone saying or publishing anything on the internet they can  stifle any dissent or criticisms,  in other words any last  remnants of freedom of speech will be gone.

30 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Spotify usually gets included in these bans.

Could you explain what's dangerous about listening to music?

 

Music can contain some radical, anti-establishment messages. For example, some songs during Covid were even anti-vax. Some songs criticized the government during the illegal invasion of Iraq.  

 

Wouldn't want any impressionable young people getting any ideas. Music for under 16's must be banned immediately, for the children's safety of course. 

 

20 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Wondering how anyone could possibly enforce this?

 

Easily with digital ID...

That's awesome!

20 minutes ago, zyphodb said:

 

Easily with digital ID...

 

At which point they will start tracking which websites you are visiting and send the cops round to talk to you if you are visiting the "wrong" ones i.e. ones that oppose the government on various issues like immigration. 

 

They are already talking about outlawing VPN's.

 

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

At which point they will start tracking which websites you are visiting and send the cops round to talk to you if you are visiting the "wrong" ones i.e. ones that oppose the government on various issues like immigration. 

 

They are already talking about outlawing VPN's.

 

Agreed, I wasn't supporting it...

substitute the word "safety" with the word "control". I find that it seems to fit well in most applications.

9 minutes ago, zyphodb said:

Agreed, I wasn't supporting it...

 

I know, I was just expanding on your point.

 

They will use any excuse to implement digital ID's (online safety for kids, controlling immigration etc.) and then use it to control and monitor the indigenous population. 

Government protecting us is getting insanely stupid. Let us do what we want if we aren't harming others.  I have little issue with the government promoting an agenda that educates the public on the dangers but telling us what we can consume is idiotic. 

 

Personally don't use my phone much or social media sites.  I'm amazed how others seem glued to their screens but up to them.  Are they unhappier - I surely have no clue and research on the matter is flawed as most research seems to be.  In America, the suicide has basically been flat for the last decade.  Actually declining 5% the 2 years preceding Covid. 

 

No crisis!  THe government wants more power and many have just willingly accepted the government is all knowing and knows how to protect us.  Maybe this is a good thing if you like to be told how to behave.   I like to do whatever floats my boat and make my own decisions which can be idiotic but they are mine.

I'm surprised the Australian government didn't ban gramophone records in the 1950s, TV in the the 1960s, videos in the 1970s, computer games in the 1980s and the internet in the 1990s.  What a crazy country.

1 hour ago, zyphodb said:

 

Easily with digital ID...

If everyone is forced to use digital id, you don't think they could use their parents id?

This could really take off. 

Ban under 16s from watching TV.

Ban them from reading books. 

Ban them from having a brain. 

Ban them from listening to gangster rap.

The list goes on and on...

21 hours ago, johng said:

 

I think it's the parents responsibility to look after their kids  not the government or social media companies,  however this is not about children  this is about having everyone identified by digital ID if they want use the internet..as we all know the internet now includes banking,health,transport,tax and any other government service

in short they will mandate a digital ID   by hook or by crook

( to protect the children)

 

Indeed, total control over everyone, and it is being rolled out across the entire world.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

If everyone is forced to use digital id, you don't think they could use their parents id?

 

How?