Australia becomes World’s first country to ban Social Media for teenagers under the age of 16

A world-first social media ban has come into force in Australia, cutting off millions of children and teenagers under 16 from their accounts.

Platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X, Snapchat, Kick, Twitch, TikTok, Reddit and YouTube are now required to block young users under the new law.

Parents and children will not be punished for breaking the rules, but tech companies could face fines of up to 32 million dollars for any breach under the new law.

The government has said, the ban is meant to protect young people from harmful content. However, critics argue it could isolate vulnerable teenagers and drive children into unregulated corners of the internet.

Major technology companies and free-speech advocates have also voiced concern, while parents and child-safety groups have welcomed the move.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had announced last September that Australia would introduce an age limit on social media use.