Australia has introduced a landmark internet regulation that reshapes how young people interact online, becoming the first nation in the world to impose a legal prohibition on children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. Beginning at midnight, major global platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat were required to block all users who fall below the newly mandated age limit. Any company that fails to comply risks hefty penalties amounting to as much as A$49.5 million (roughly US$33 million).
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the sweeping policy as one of the most aggressive and transformative digital safety measures ever implemented, emphasizing its potential to bring about profound cultural and social change. According to him, the legislation marks “a proud day for families” and is expected to make a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians.
The new rule has already triggered a dramatic purge across social media platforms. TikTok confirmed that within the first few hours of implementation, around 200,000 accounts belonging to underage users had been deactivated, with many more expected to be removed in the coming days. As the restrictions took effect, teenagers across Australia spent their final moments online posting emotional farewell messages, lamenting the loss of a digital space that had become central to their daily lives. Many expressed feelings of isolation, with one teenager writing that the ban meant “no more contact with the rest of the world,” while others signed off with tags like “#seeyouwhenim16” before their profiles vanished.
Even X, owned by Elon Musk, eventually complied after initially hesitating. The company issued a statement clarifying that the decision was not voluntary but required under Australian law. X has begun “automatically offboarding” users who fail newly introduced age-verification checks.
Under the legislation, all ten major platforms covered by the law must now employ advanced age-estimation technologies. These include tools that analyze user behaviour, facial-image verification systems, and potentially even government-issued ID submissions. Critics argue this approach edges dangerously close to government surveillance and raises major privacy concerns, while tech industry lobbyists warn that Australia is setting a precedent for excessive state intervention.
However, Australian authorities defend the measures, insisting that tech giants had long ignored mounting warnings about the harmful effects of social media on children. Canberra maintains that decisive action was necessary after years of inaction from Silicon Valley, framing the new law as a necessary step to protect young people from online harm.