Sydney, Australia – Australia makes history today, Wednesday, December 10, by becoming the first country in the world to officially set the minimum age for using social media at 16 years old.
This move will force tech giants like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to block access to more than a million accounts within the country. This marks the beginning of a potential global wave of regulation in the tech sector.
Immediate ban and hefty fines
As of midnight Tuesday, 10 major platforms are now required to block access for Australian users under the age of 16. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to AU$49.5 million (US$33 million).
This law brings to a close a year of debate and speculation. It marks the beginning of a practical experiment that will be closely watched by lawmakers worldwide as governments seek to limit the harm technology causes to children and teenagers.
International monitoring of the “canary in the coal mine”
The law comes four years after the leak of internal documents from Meta. The documents showed that the company was aware that its products caused body image problems and suicidal thoughts among teenagers.
While Australia is the first country to enact such restrictions, it will not be the last. Governments in Denmark, Malaysia, and even some US states have announced plans to take similar steps.
