Australia is poised to enact a world-first law banning children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, with the legislation set to take full effect from 10 December. In a significant development, tech giants including Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick have all confirmed they will comply with the new regulations.
From Book Club to Parliament: The Whirlwind Journey
The policy's origins can be traced to late 2023, when South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas's wife finished reading Jonathan Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation. She urged her husband to act on its central thesis, which prescribes a social media ban for under-16s as a solution to youth mental health issues. This domestic conversation sparked a political chain reaction.
South Australia, in partnership with New South Wales, commissioned a review and held a summit. While Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, a summit speaker, reportedly described a blanket ban as a "bumper sticker solution", Haidt himself addressed the event via video link, expressing his support. The campaign quickly gained momentum, shifting from a state-level idea to a federal imperative to avoid a patchwork of regulations.
Political Pressure and a Swift Legislative Push
With a federal election looming, the then opposition leader Peter Dutton adopted the ban as a signature policy for the Coalition. Media giant News Corp launched its "Let Them Be Kids" campaign, adding considerable public pressure. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also championed the cause, appearing on Nova radio to advocate for raising the access age from 13 to 16.
The Labor government, seen as moving to neutralise a potential election issue, rushed the bill through federal parliament in a matter of days in late 2024, with minimal committee scrutiny. The law placed the onus of enforcement on the platforms themselves and left detailed decisions about scope and implementation for late 2025.
Platform Negotiations and the YouTube Exemption Controversy
A significant point of contention arose over the exemption of YouTube on educational grounds, a decision made by then Communications Minister Michelle Rowland but not detailed in the law. Rival platforms TikTok and Meta protested, arguing that YouTube Shorts was functionally identical to their own short-form video products.
The newly appointed Communications Minister, Anika Wells, received advice in July from the eSafety commissioner that YouTube should not be excluded, citing algorithmic harms. Following Wells's agreement, Google threatened legal action. Ultimately, the commissioner's final list of covered platforms included: TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch.
As the December deadline approaches, the major platforms have pledged compliance. A High Court challenge has been lodged but will not be heard until February, leaving the ban to proceed for now. The policy stands as a bold, contentious experiment in digital child protection, with the world watching to see its impact.
