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Last Updated on May 5, 2026
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I asked this question to the Gen AI Gemini - Why did Australia and other countries ban social media for children 16 and below? and this is what I got .
Australia recently made headlines by passing the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which officially took effect on December 10, 2025. This law set a precedent that several other countries and even some Indian states are now following or considering.
The primary reasons for these bans revolve around a "precautionary approach" to public health and child development.
1. Mental Health and "Doomscrolling"
Governments have cited a surge in youth depression and anxiety linked to social media use. In Australia, data showed that the prevalence of mental health conditions among 15–34-year-olds rose from 9% in 2009 to 22% in 2022. Lawmakers argue that "clout culture" and "infinite scrolling" are designed to be addictive, specifically targeting the vulnerable, developing brains of teenagers.
2. Protection from Online Harms
Beyond mental health, the ban aims to shield children from:
- Cyberbullying: The "permanence" of digital footprints means bullying can follow a child even if they change schools.
- Harmful Content: Reducing exposure to misinformation, online radicalization, and content that promotes self-harm or eating disorders.
- Predatory Behavior: Limiting the access of online predators to younger, less digitally literate users.
3. Shifting the "Onus of Responsibility"
A key feature of the Australian law is that it does not punish children or parents. Instead, it places the legal and financial burden on the tech companies (like Meta, TikTok, and X). Platforms face fines of up to $49.5 million AUD if they do not take "reasonable steps" to prevent under-16s from having accounts.
Global and Local Landscape (as of 2026)
| Country/Region | Age Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 16 | Active (Effective Dec 2025) |
| Karnataka, India | 16 | Active (First Indian state to ban, March 2026) |
| Indonesia | 16 | Active (Gradual deactivation started March 2026) |
| France | 15 | Approved by National Assembly; pending final votes. |
| Norway | 15/16 | Legislation in progress for an absolute minimum age. |
| European Union | 16* | Proposed; allows 13–15 with parental consent. |
The Debate
While many support the move, groups like UNICEF and various digital rights advocates have raised concerns:
- Digital Exclusion: It might cut off marginalized youth from support communities.
- Workarounds: Tech-savvy teens often use VPNs or "spoof" their age, leading them to more unregulated, darker corners of the web.
- Privacy: Effective age verification often requires collecting sensitive biometric or ID data, creating new privacy risks.
