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Australia is about to become the first major democracy to impose a nationwide ban on social media access for under-16s. When the world-first measure comes into force on December 10, platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit and Twitch, will be required to remove existing under-16 accounts and block the ability to create new ones. The government says the legislation is necessary to curb rising online bullying, self-harm content and addictive design, which it says intentionally targets young users.
To comply, tech companies must been to be taking “reasonable steps” to enforce the measures or face fines of up to €26.19 million ($49.5 million AUD). In the lead-up to the ban, younger teens have been sharing tips on how to dodge age checks, swapping VPN advice and encouraging one another to download lesser-known apps like Yope and Lemon8, both of which are now on the Australian government’s watchlist as their popularity soars.
Read moreWhy is Australia banning children under 16 from social media – and can they enforce it?
The Digital Freedom Project, a Sydney-based group representing concerned teenagers, has filed an official complaint at the Australian High Court, arguing the ban is unconstitutional and risks pushing children into more unregulated online spaces. The court has agreed to a directions hearing on February 25, 2026.
Globally, the rollout is being watched closely. Malaysia announced plans for a similar policy last year, while the UK, EU and several US states are tightening their safety rules without imposing outright bans.
We take a closer look in this edition of Tech 24.
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