Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Takes Effect; Teens File Legal Action

Australia’s world-first ban on social media use for children under 16 has taken effect, and it is facing growing resistance by teenagers. The ban already has legal challenges in the nation’s highest court.

Two 15-year-olds have filed a case against the law. They argue that it violates their rights and unfairly restricts young people from participating in political and social conversations online.

Under the new legislation, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube must remove underage users or face fines of up to 33 million dollars. The government says the ban is designed to protect children from bullying, predators and harmful online content.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the move, calling social media “a weapon for bullies… a driver of anxiety… a tool for online predators.”

Other supporters say the restrictions will encourage healthier offline interactions and give parents more peace of mind.

But critics warn the approach could push teenagers into unregulated digital spaces. The Digital Freedom Project said the ban “robs young people of their right to political expression,” while one teen plaintiff argued, “Young people like me are the voters of tomorrow. We shouldn’t be silenced.”

Tech companies have also criticised the law, with YouTube cautioning that “rushed restrictions” may inadvertently create greater online risks.

Experts say the debate is a reflection of a growing global challenge when it comes to protecting children online without cutting them off from the digital world entirely.