Australia has implemented a significant ban preventing children under 16 from creating social media accounts. This legislation took effect this week and is part of a broader effort to safeguard young users from potential harms associated with social media platforms. Lawmakers in the United States are now advocating for similar measures, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
The ban, which was first approved in 2024, mandates that social media companies like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube must develop mechanisms to restrict account creation by individuals under 16. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed the responsibility of these companies to protect Australian children in a recent op-ed, stating, “If they have not taken reasonable steps to remove them, they will have broken Australian law and be subject to substantial fines.”
This legislative move aligns with a growing international trend. Lawmakers in countries such as Norway and Denmark have proposed similar restrictions, while Malaysia plans to enact a ban for children under 16 in 2026. Recent studies indicate that social media usage can negatively impact mental health, leading to issues such as anxiety and depression. A 2024 survey by the World Health Organization revealed that 11% of nearly 280,000 young teens surveyed exhibited signs of problematic social media behavior, struggling to manage their usage and facing adverse consequences.
In the United States, a group of senators, led by Brian Schatz from Hawaii, introduced the Kids Off Social Media Act earlier this year. This bipartisan bill aims to prohibit social media platforms from allowing children under the age of 13 to create or maintain accounts and forbids the use of algorithms targeting users under 17. “Legislation like the Kids Off Social Media Act takes tangible steps to rein in Big Tech and help save children’s lives,” said Senator Katie Britt from Alabama.
The US Senate will debate the bill before it is put to a vote, with the potential for further advancement through the House of Representatives and ultimately requiring presidential approval. Meanwhile, American legislators have initiated legal actions against social media giants including Meta, which is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. In 2023, 33 states filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging that the company knowingly developed addictive features that could harm children.
In October 2023, New York City filed a lawsuit against several social media companies, including Meta, Alphabet, Snap, and ByteDance, accusing them of contributing to a “youth mental health crisis.” The lawsuit highlights the alarming rise in dangerous activities among teenagers in New York City, which have been linked to social media use.
Senator Schatz articulated his concerns about the presence of young children on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, asserting, “There’s no good reason for an 8- or 9-year-old to be on Instagram or TikTok.” He called for legislative measures to enforce stricter regulations on social media companies, emphasizing that without such mandates, companies will continue to prioritize profits over the welfare of children.
As Australia takes this bold step to protect its youth, the global conversation around the responsibilities of social media companies continues to unfold. Lawmakers on both sides of the Pacific are increasingly recognizing the need for legislation that addresses the potential dangers of social media for younger audiences, making it a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue about digital safety and child welfare.
