Australia says the world will follow social media ban as Meta starts blocking teens
Australia Says World Will Follow Its New Social Media Ban for Teens
Australia is officially moving ahead with its bold plan to ban social media for users under 16 — and it’s already making waves around the world. With the law kicking in on December 10, major platforms including Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Threads) have begun deactivating accounts belonging to underage users.
This marks one of the biggest crackdowns on Big Tech anywhere, and Australia believes it will inspire other countries to take similar action.
Why Australia Is Doing This
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant admitted she was initially unsure about such a strict ban. She called it a “blunt-force” measure, but says years of small regulatory steps simply weren’t enough to protect young users from harmful online features.
According to her, the tipping point has arrived:
“Our data fuels these companies, and even adults struggle to fight against their powerful design features. What chance do our children have?”
Platforms Are Now Complying
After more than a year of resisting the law — which includes fines up to A$49.5 million (US$33 million) — all major platforms have agreed to fall in line, including:
- Meta (Instagram, Facebook, Threads)
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- YouTube
Starting Thursday, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads began disabling accounts belonging to users under 16. Other platforms have begun notifying teens to save their photos and contacts, offering options to either delete the account now or freeze it until they turn 16.
How Big Is the Impact?
It’s massive.
According to eSafety:
- 96% of Australian teens under 16 — more than 1 million kids — currently have social media accounts.
Parents like Sydney mother Jennifer Jennison welcome the move. She believes it will ease pressure on families and support kids’ mental well-being.
Global Attention and Political Pushback
Governments worldwide are watching closely as Australia becomes the first country to enforce such a law. Inman Grant said platforms even took their complaints to the U.S. government, which has now invited her to testify before the House Judiciary Committee.
She hasn’t confirmed whether she’ll appear, but noted the irony:
The U.S. claims Australia is exerting “extra-territorial power” — yet asked her to testify, which she suggests does the same.
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