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What is the story about?
The social media ban for people under the age of 16 in Australia came into effect on Wednesday. The new law forbids children from having accounts on the most commonly used social media platforms on December 10. These include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and many others.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 has changed the provision of responsibility concerning age verification from parents and children to social media companies that now must implement age-verification steps or suffer severe fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (about US $33 million) if they are not in compliance.
A wave of emotional responses surfaced online almost immediately after the ban came into effect. Some Australian teenagers reportedly posted farewell messages, memes, and sentimental notes before their accounts were banned.
According to the authorities, 200,000 accounts on TikTok alone have already been removed, and ‘hundreds of thousands’ more will be shut down in the days to come, reported Reuters.
One TikTok user commented to their followers, "I'm going to miss you soo much and especially the funny content. See you in a few years, but I don't know if my account will still be standing."
"Goodbye, see you on the other side," remarked another person, according to Reuters.
On Tuesday, several people remained online until midnight, sharing videos of clocks ticking down to Adele's 'Skyfall' with the phrase "this is the end."
Experts and families discussed whether the ban would genuinely lessen harm or merely push younger users to uncontrolled areas of the internet on X (Twitter).
One parent wrote on X, “The fact YouTube is on this list is insane, my kids always used this to learn and support their studies. This whole ban is Government overreach, let parents be parents.”
“They cannot access them with an account. Many of these platforms can still be accessed by the under 16s without an account,” another user pointed out.
One user argued that this social media ban is a failure, and youngsters have already accessed ‘loop holes.’
“The U16 social media ban is a complete failure already with teens already finding loopholes. Australia was apparently setting a ‘World Standard’ and yet that World Standard is already collapsing,” the user wrote.
Another claimed that social media is the “best place for teens to know what’s happening in the world.”
One user asserted that this is another “heavy‑handed attempt at government regulation stifling innovation,” questioning whether this will have any positive effect in society.
“This was never about protecting the kids. Discord and Roblox are major grooming grounds,” noted one.
Others vented their annoyance at Anthony Albanese, the centre-left prime minister, who has lost 6,000 Instagram and TikTok followers since Tuesday. One commenter on Albanese's TikTok account said, "Just wait until we're able to vote."
Many Australian parents and child welfare activists have expressed strong support for the ban. Most people believe these limitations will enhance young people's mental health and online safety. However, not everyone is convinced.
Mental health professionals and advocates warn that disconnecting teens from the widely used social network sites may bring out unexpected consequences, as numerous youngsters consider these platforms as a source of emotional support, community, and a sense of belonging.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 has changed the provision of responsibility concerning age verification from parents and children to social media companies that now must implement age-verification steps or suffer severe fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (about US $33 million) if they are not in compliance.
A wave of emotional responses surfaced online almost immediately after the ban came into effect. Some Australian teenagers reportedly posted farewell messages, memes, and sentimental notes before their accounts were banned.
Australia's social media ban for teens under 16 is now in effect, the first country to do so pic.twitter.com/Opl30hupiL
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 10, 2025
According to the authorities, 200,000 accounts on TikTok alone have already been removed, and ‘hundreds of thousands’ more will be shut down in the days to come, reported Reuters.
One TikTok user commented to their followers, "I'm going to miss you soo much and especially the funny content. See you in a few years, but I don't know if my account will still be standing."
"Goodbye, see you on the other side," remarked another person, according to Reuters.
On Tuesday, several people remained online until midnight, sharing videos of clocks ticking down to Adele's 'Skyfall' with the phrase "this is the end."
Experts and families discussed whether the ban would genuinely lessen harm or merely push younger users to uncontrolled areas of the internet on X (Twitter).
One parent wrote on X, “The fact YouTube is on this list is insane, my kids always used this to learn and support their studies. This whole ban is Government overreach, let parents be parents.”
The fact YouTube is on this list is insane, my kids always used this to learn and support their studies.
This whole ban is Government overreach, let parents be parents.
— Dan Smith (@DanS_180) December 9, 2025
“They cannot access them with an account. Many of these platforms can still be accessed by the under 16s without an account,” another user pointed out.
One user argued that this social media ban is a failure, and youngsters have already accessed ‘loop holes.’
“The U16 social media ban is a complete failure already with teens already finding loopholes. Australia was apparently setting a ‘World Standard’ and yet that World Standard is already collapsing,” the user wrote.
Well the U16 social media ban is a complete failure already with teens already finding loop holes
Australia was apparently setting a ‘World Standard’ and yet that World Standard is already collapsing.
pic.twitter.com/ZvBLJPFZeb
— Mickamious (@MickamiousG) December 10, 2025
Another claimed that social media is the “best place for teens to know what’s happening in the world.”
Why is Australia doing this?
Social media is the best place for teens to know what’s happening in the world
— MayorTheIdol (@MayorTheIdol) December 10, 2025
One user asserted that this is another “heavy‑handed attempt at government regulation stifling innovation,” questioning whether this will have any positive effect in society.
What positive effects do you think this will have on society, if any? Or is it just
another heavy‑handed attempt at government regulation stifling innovation.
— John Z⚡/acc (@JohnZelvi) December 9, 2025
“This was never about protecting the kids. Discord and Roblox are major grooming grounds,” noted one.
This was never about protecting the kids????
Discord and Roblox are major grooming grounds ????
— packergirl (@p9cker_girl) December 10, 2025
Others vented their annoyance at Anthony Albanese, the centre-left prime minister, who has lost 6,000 Instagram and TikTok followers since Tuesday. One commenter on Albanese's TikTok account said, "Just wait until we're able to vote."
Many Australian parents and child welfare activists have expressed strong support for the ban. Most people believe these limitations will enhance young people's mental health and online safety. However, not everyone is convinced.
Mental health professionals and advocates warn that disconnecting teens from the widely used social network sites may bring out unexpected consequences, as numerous youngsters consider these platforms as a source of emotional support, community, and a sense of belonging.
