• Australia enforces a ban on social media for children under 16, affecting platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
• The law targets social media companies with fines of up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.
• Prime Minister Albanese pitches the ban as crucial for protecting young people's mental health.
• Some teens are reportedly finding ways to bypass the restrictions less than a day after implementation.
• Governments worldwide are observing Australia's actions to consider similar measures.

Australia has become the first country to implement a ban on social media for children under 16, effective from midnight on December 10. Major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are now required to prevent minors from accessing their services or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$33 million). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed this initiative as “one of the biggest social and cultural changes” in Australia, stating that the law aims to curb the harms of social media on youth mental health related to bullying and body image issues, according to SCMP, Channel News Asia, and Jakarta Post.

To enforce the ban, platforms are required to implement various age verification methods, including ID checks and AI facial recognition. Reports indicate a significant number of Australian teens, approximately 440,000 on Snapchat alone, will be affected by this policy. Critics, however, are concerned about privacy implications and the potential effectiveness of such measures, according to Channel News Asia and Anadolu Agency.

The rollout has encountered challenges, with reports indicating some teens are managing to evade detection and access social media platforms. Albanese described the implementation as “bumpy” but reaffirmed its necessity, emphasizing the government's commitment to protecting young Australians. The unique nature of this law has drawn global attention, with governments from countries like Denmark, France, and Malaysia expressing interest in similar regulations, as noted by Anadolu Agency and Reuters.

While many parents have welcomed the ban, there are concerns it might drive minors to less regulated parts of the internet. UNICEF has cautioned that age restrictions alone cannot substitute for better platform design and content moderation, indicating the complexity of implementing such laws effectively, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.