Written by Alice Njoki
On 10 December 2025, Australia will become the first major country in the world to introduce a nationwide rule that stops anyone under 16 from having a social media account. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube will now have to:
- Take steps to confirm a user’s real age
- Block anyone under 16 from signing up
- Remove accounts belonging to underage users
- Send monthly reports to the government showing they are following the rules
This is part of a new “minimum age for social media” policy that allows the government to penalise platforms that do not keep children off their services.
Australia’s decision comes after years of studies and growing concern about how social media affects young people. Officials say there is strong evidence that spending too much time online especially on platforms with “predatory algorithms” designed to keep users hooked is linked to:
- More anxiety
- Body image issues
- Depression
- Self-harm
This move shows that society is starting to question the kind of digital world children are growing up in. It imagines a future where childhood feels less crowded by likes, trends, and constant comparison and more focused on real friendships and emotional wellbeing.
But the new rules also bring challenges. Young people under 16 may be cut off from online spaces where they learn new skills, explore creativity, or stay in touch with friends. It raises difficult questions: How do we keep children safe without limiting their independence? How do we protect them without shutting them out from opportunities their older peers or children in other countries still have?
In the end, safety will require more than bans. It will take building a healthier digital environment where young people can learn, grow, and truly thrive.