Australia Becomes the First Country to Ban Social Media for Under-16s: December Rules Signal a New Era of Online Child Protection

In December 2025, Australia will become the first country in the world to ban social media access for children under 16 – a move that has ignited a global debate about the role of technology in young people’s lives.  Yet while this headline-grabbing ban dominates public debate, another policy is quietly in the works that could have even broader implications for brands, publishers, and platforms. The Children’s Online Privacy Code, due in late 2026, is set to redefine how organisations collect, store, and use data from anyone under 18. Together, these two initiatives signal a historic shift: the free-for-all era of children’s online engagement is ending.

The ban responds to mounting evidence that social media can have serious mental health impacts on young people. Research suggests that adolescents who spend more than three hours daily on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and body image issues. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the move aims to “give kids their childhood back,” recognising that peer pressure and addictive platform designs make voluntary parental controls insufficient.

Social media platforms will be required to implement age verification measures, ensuring that users under 16 cannot create accounts. While enforcement details are still being finalised, companies that fail to comply could face penalties. The ban aligns with international trends, with countries such as New Zealand and Denmark exploring similar restrictions, signalling a global shift toward protecting children online.

Alongside the ban, Australia is developing the Children’s Online Privacy Code, which will extend protections beyond social media to include apps, websites, online games, and other digital services “likely to be accessed by children.” The code is designed to give children more control over their personal information, including the ability to delete data, opt out of targeted advertising, and enjoy default privacy settings, such as geolocation being switched off by default.

The Code also emphasises transparency, requiring child-friendly privacy notices and clearer explanations of how personal data is collected and used. These measures respond to alarming findings from a Human Rights Watch study, which found that nearly all 165 government-approved edtech platforms examined collected and sold children’s data. By introducing enforceable rules, Australia is addressing both the mental health and privacy dimensions of children’s online experiences.

Supporters argue that these reforms are essential to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and exploitative algorithms. Parents and advocacy groups have welcomed the government’s proactive stance, noting that even with household rules, children often encounter unsafe online environments. Critics, however, warn that strict bans could push young users toward unregulated platforms and question how governments can realistically enforce age restrictions.

Together, the social media ban and the Children’s Online Privacy Code mark a historic shift in digital governance, positioning Australia as a global leader in online child protection. They reflect a growing recognition that technology has outpaced traditional safeguards, and that both behavioural and regulatory interventions are necessary to safeguard children’s well-being. As December 2025 approaches, families, educators, and tech companies will need to adapt to this new landscape – one where childhood, online privacy, and mental health are being treated as inseparable priorities in the digital age.

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