Australian officials have stated their belief that once the law prohibiting individuals under 16 from using social media platforms is implemented, other countries globally will likely begin efforts to establish similar legislation. The law, which sets the minimum legal age for social media use at 16, was ratified by Australia in December 2024 and is scheduled to come into effect on December 10th of the current year.
Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, remarked that the implementation of this law will present significant challenges for major companies operating social media platforms. Companies and platforms expected to be most affected by this decision include Meta (which operates Instagram, Facebook, and Threads), TikTok, Snapchat, and Alphabet (which operates Google’s platforms).
These companies have openly opposed Australia’s new law. However, as the enforcement deadline approaches, they have begun deactivating or closing accounts opened and maintained by individuals under the age of 16, in compliance with the legislation. This includes accounts on Meta’s Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
Grant believes that the “currency” these companies use to operate and generate financial profit is the personal information of their users. In Australia, a country with a population of 27 million, statistics reveal that 96% of young people under the age of 16 use social media platforms, with their numbers reaching approximately one million.
Governments worldwide are currently observing how the situation unfolds once Australia’s law banning social media use for children under 16 is enforced. However, some countries have already announced their intention to introduce similar measures. Among them is Malaysia, where the Minister of Communications, Fahmi Fadzil, stated that work has already begun to amend laws to prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms and to restrict access for those between 16 and 18 years old.
