What the World Should Learn from Australia's Social Media Law

6 hours ago

Australia’s social media law, effective Dec 2025, raised the age for accounts to 16, a global first, requiring platforms to verify and enforce age minimums.
Early surveys show under-16 social media use declined partially, but critics argue the law fails due to workarounds; however, the law targets account-based access, not all content viewing.
Platforms removed 4.7 million under-16 accounts, and parents report positive behavioral changes in children, including more in-person interaction and improved relationships.
Enforcement and compliance are expected to improve over time via stronger fines, societal norm shifts, and a 'no account before 16' childhood becoming standard.
Privacy-safe age verification methods (e.g., biometric estimation, third-party vouching) are advancing, reducing the need for sensitive document sharing.
Age limits have pressured companies to redesign products for safety, as seen with Snapchat’s friends-only feature for teens, and are complementary to design reform laws.
The law is creating a market for safer online spaces, with organizations like Minus18 seeing a surge in under-16 users seeking moderated communities.
The overall impact is a long-term cultural shift, not a quick fix, with Australia’s pioneering action inspiring other countries and driving industry improvements.

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