�Australia has enacted a groundbreaking law that prohibits children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter). This legislation, known as the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, aims to protect the mental and physical health of young Australians during critical developmental stages. The law mandates that these platforms verify users' ages and enforce the age restriction, with penalties of up to A$49.5 million (approximately US$32 million) for non-compliance .�
AP News
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People.com
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eSafety Commissioner
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NPR
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Wikipedia
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Wikipedia
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Key Aspects of the Law
Age Restriction: Children under 16 are prohibited from creating new accounts or using existing accounts on specified social media platforms.�

Platform Responsibility: Social media companies are required to implement age verification measures to ensure compliance with the age restriction.�
ScienceDirect
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People.com
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Reuters
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Exemptions: Certain platforms, including YouTube, WhatsApp, and Google Classroom, are exempt from this ban due to their educational or messaging purposes .�
People.com

Implementation Timeline: The law is set to take effect in December 2025, giving platforms time to adjust their systems to comply with the new regulations .�
NPR
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The Guardian
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Reuters
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Implications and Reactions
This legislative move has sparked a global conversation about the balance between online safety and digital rights. Proponents argue that the law is a necessary step to protect children from the harmful effects of social media, including mental health issues and exposure to inappropriate content. Critics, however, contend that the ban may infringe upon children's rights to access information and connect with peers online.�
NPR

The Australian government has emphasized the importance of safeguarding young people in the digital age, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing the policy as "world-leading" . However, the effectiveness of the law will depend on the implementation of robust age verification systems and the willingness of social media companies to cooperate.�
Reuters

As the December 2025 deadline approaches, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments to assess the impact of this unprecedented legislation on both Australian society and the global digital landscape.�

Australia's Social Media Ban for Children Under 16: Key Developments

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