Sydney: Australia teen social media ban has gained praise at the United Nations, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the law’s significance at an event in New York. Governments and technology firms are closely monitoring Australia’s effort to block social media access for users under 16, starting from December.
Under the new law, social media companies are expected to use artificial intelligence and behavioral data to estimate users’ ages rather than relying on blanket age-verification processes. Albanese said that while the approach is not foolproof, the social media ban represents a crucial step in safeguarding children online.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told that she had been inspired by Australia’s example and noted that European nations would learn from the country’s efforts to protect the next generation from online harm.
The legislation, passed in November 2024, aims to delay teenagers’ ability to create social media accounts from age 13 to 16. The government cited studies linking social media overuse to mental health issues among young teens, including exposure to misinformation, cyberbullying, and harmful body image content.
Albanese emphasised that the law is a sensible yet overdue measure to support children during a critical stage of development. Albanese told that the policy would give Australian teens three additional years to develop under real-life experiences rather than being shaped by algorithms.
Australia teen social media ban has sparked international interest as policymakers and tech firms consider how to implement similar protections. The law reflects a growing recognition of the evolving challenges children face in the digital environment and Australia’s willingness to adopt proactive measures.
DON’T MISS | UK drug prices under fire as pharma firms scale back
