After Australia, These Countries Are Now Considering TikTok and Instagram Bans for Teenagers
Australia is gearing up to introduce one of the world’s most significant youth online safety reforms , becoming the first democratic country to enforce a nationwide social media ban for under-16s on major platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Set to take effect on 10 December, the new Australia social media ban has sparked global debate and could inspire other nations to adopt similar social media age limits to protect young users.
Under this landmark law, tech companies will be required to block anyone under the age of 16 from accessing their platforms. If they fail to comply, they could face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. The government argues that this strict youth online safety measure is necessary amid mounting international concern about cyberbullying, addictive design features, and the overall impact of social media on children. With the Australia social media ban, leaders hope to create safer digital environments for young users worldwide.
The move has attracted support from global leaders, with governments across Europe, Asia, and South America closely watching Australia’s rollout of under-16 social media restrictions . Countries such as Denmark, Brazil, Indonesia, and Malaysia have already signalled plans for stronger social media age limits, while Spain, New Zealand, and Singapore are also considering similar digital safety laws. For many nations, Australia’s bold decision sets a new benchmark for youth online safety in the digital era.
Danish digital affairs minister Caroline Stage Olsen praised the Australia social media ban, calling it a courageous step at a time when young people are increasingly shaped by online experiences. Her endorsement highlights the growing global momentum behind social media age limits and tougher regulations on Big Tech.
Of course, the economic implications for major platforms are significant. Teens make up a large share of global social media users, and their engagement drives a substantial portion of ad revenue. With analysts predicting that the sector will generate over 245 billion US dollars in 2025, the Australia social media ban could force major companies like Meta, Snap, and TikTok to rethink their financial models. Limiting young users through under-16 social media restrictions may reshape the industry’s revenue landscape.
Tech companies themselves have mixed reactions. While many have accepted the ruling, several warn that enforcing strict youth online safety laws may push young people toward unregulated platforms or underground digital spaces. Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, argues that parental tools and better digital education are more effective than outright bans. TikTok and Snap have raised similar questions, noting the challenges that come with implementing social media age limits on such massive global platforms.
The political momentum behind the Australia social media ban began in South Australia, when premier Peter Malinauskas was urged by his wife to address the impact of smartphones on children. Her concerns were influenced by Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling book The Anxious Generation, which highlights the mental health risks associated with early, unrestricted social media use. This sparked intense national debate and pushed Australia’s federal government to fast-track youth online safety legislation in late 2024.
Parents who lost children to cyberbullying played a critical role in advancing the reform. One of the strongest voices is Emma Mason, a children’s lawyer whose daughter Tilly died by suicide in 2022 after prolonged online harassment. Mason has since become a leading advocate for youth online safety, urging governments around the world to adopt stronger protections and enforce stricter social media age limits.
However, advocacy groups warn that the Australia social media ban could have unintended consequences. Amnesty International Australia’s Nikita White expressed concern that LGBTQ youth and other vulnerable groups depend on online communities for support. A blanket under-16 social media restriction, she argues, risks removing essential lifelines for young people who often cannot find safe spaces offline.
Youth advocates themselves are divided. Sixteen-year-old Patrick Jones from UrVoice Australia believes the real issue isn’t access but harmful content. He argues that youth online safety requires platforms to fix the algorithmic problems at the heart of toxic digital environments. “It is the content that is the problem, not our access to that content,” he said, questioning whether the Australia social media ban addresses the root cause.
Adding to the debate is testimony from inside Big Tech. Arturo Béjar, a former engineering director at Meta and consultant for Instagram, revealed internal research showing that one in eight under-16 users received unwanted sexual advances on Instagram in just one week. Béjar told the US Senate that Meta had not done enough to protect teens—reinforcing the case for stricter digital safety laws like the Australia social media ban. “When a company will not do what is needed, it is really the government’s job to protect our kids,” he said.
Several countries have already announced concrete steps inspired by Australia’s move. Brazil will soon require minors’ accounts to be linked to a legal guardian, while Malaysia plans to introduce its own social media age limits next year. Indonesia is preparing a parental-approval system for users under 18, with its communications minister Meutya Hafid saying her country has “learned a great deal from Australia.” Spain, New Zealand, and Singapore have expressed similar interest, and Denmark is moving towards a national under-15 ban with exceptions for 13- and 14-year-olds who have parental consent. Many policymakers now see Australia as paving the way for a new era of youth online safety regulation.
Under this landmark law, tech companies will be required to block anyone under the age of 16 from accessing their platforms. If they fail to comply, they could face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. The government argues that this strict youth online safety measure is necessary amid mounting international concern about cyberbullying, addictive design features, and the overall impact of social media on children. With the Australia social media ban, leaders hope to create safer digital environments for young users worldwide.
The move has attracted support from global leaders, with governments across Europe, Asia, and South America closely watching Australia’s rollout of
Danish digital affairs minister Caroline Stage Olsen praised the Australia social media ban, calling it a courageous step at a time when young people are increasingly shaped by online experiences. Her endorsement highlights the growing global momentum behind social media age limits and tougher regulations on Big Tech.
Of course, the economic implications for major platforms are significant. Teens make up a large share of global social media users, and their engagement drives a substantial portion of ad revenue. With analysts predicting that the sector will generate over 245 billion US dollars in 2025, the Australia social media ban could force major companies like Meta, Snap, and TikTok to rethink their financial models. Limiting young users through under-16 social media restrictions may reshape the industry’s revenue landscape.
Tech companies themselves have mixed reactions. While many have accepted the ruling, several warn that enforcing strict youth online safety laws may push young people toward unregulated platforms or underground digital spaces. Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, argues that parental tools and better digital education are more effective than outright bans. TikTok and Snap have raised similar questions, noting the challenges that come with implementing social media age limits on such massive global platforms.
The political momentum behind the Australia social media ban began in South Australia, when premier Peter Malinauskas was urged by his wife to address the impact of smartphones on children. Her concerns were influenced by Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling book The Anxious Generation, which highlights the mental health risks associated with early, unrestricted social media use. This sparked intense national debate and pushed Australia’s federal government to fast-track youth online safety legislation in late 2024.
Parents who lost children to cyberbullying played a critical role in advancing the reform. One of the strongest voices is Emma Mason, a children’s lawyer whose daughter Tilly died by suicide in 2022 after prolonged online harassment. Mason has since become a leading advocate for youth online safety, urging governments around the world to adopt stronger protections and enforce stricter social media age limits.
However, advocacy groups warn that the Australia social media ban could have unintended consequences. Amnesty International Australia’s Nikita White expressed concern that LGBTQ youth and other vulnerable groups depend on online communities for support. A blanket under-16 social media restriction, she argues, risks removing essential lifelines for young people who often cannot find safe spaces offline.
Youth advocates themselves are divided. Sixteen-year-old Patrick Jones from UrVoice Australia believes the real issue isn’t access but harmful content. He argues that youth online safety requires platforms to fix the algorithmic problems at the heart of toxic digital environments. “It is the content that is the problem, not our access to that content,” he said, questioning whether the Australia social media ban addresses the root cause.
Adding to the debate is testimony from inside Big Tech. Arturo Béjar, a former engineering director at Meta and consultant for Instagram, revealed internal research showing that one in eight under-16 users received unwanted sexual advances on Instagram in just one week. Béjar told the US Senate that Meta had not done enough to protect teens—reinforcing the case for stricter digital safety laws like the Australia social media ban. “When a company will not do what is needed, it is really the government’s job to protect our kids,” he said.
Several countries have already announced concrete steps inspired by Australia’s move. Brazil will soon require minors’ accounts to be linked to a legal guardian, while Malaysia plans to introduce its own social media age limits next year. Indonesia is preparing a parental-approval system for users under 18, with its communications minister Meutya Hafid saying her country has “learned a great deal from Australia.” Spain, New Zealand, and Singapore have expressed similar interest, and Denmark is moving towards a national under-15 ban with exceptions for 13- and 14-year-olds who have parental consent. Many policymakers now see Australia as paving the way for a new era of youth online safety regulation.
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