What’s going on: The days of Snapchat streaks, fun TikToks, or IG story updates are officially over for many young Aussies. In case your feed missed it, Australia just enacted the world’s first social media ban for children under 16 years old. Ten platforms, including Facebook, Reddit, and YouTube, are officially “down under” in a whole different sense. Companies that break the law face an equivalent fine of up to $32 million, so most have already deactivated young users’ accounts and are cracking down on those who might’ve lied about their age. Australian lawmakers admitted the law isn’t perfect, but they said it’s a start. Surprise: Most kids don’t agree with the adults on this one — some have even taken the issue to court.
What it means: Countries around the world are watching to see if Australia just kicked off a new kind of social media trend — including here in the US. There’s an appetite for it: Nearly six in 10 US voters in a late-2024 Quinnipiac poll said they’d support similar age restrictions. And while Maryland’s “Kids Code” law is tied up in court, California did pass a child-safety bill that’s set to take effect in 2027. But if you’re trying to manage your kid’s screen time now, a ban won’t magically do it. Kids could hop on whatever platform isn’t restricted, and strict laws can push teens towards sketchier corners of the internet. So, think practical, not punitive: A phone curfew, clear time limits, and real conversations about digital literacy can go a long way.
