Australia has officially enacted a new law prohibiting children and teenagers under 16 from accessing major social media platforms.

Starting December 10, platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, X, Reddit, and others are required to block users under 16 or deactivate any existing accounts.

The regulation, under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, places accountability on the platforms themselves rather than on children or parents.

Noncompliant companies could face fines of up to A$49.5 million (around US $33 million).

Supporters describe the ban as a decisive step to protect young people from harmful content, mental health risks, and digital addiction.

Critics, however, caution that it may isolate vulnerable teens or drive them to unregulated parts of the internet, with ongoing concerns about how age verification will be implemented fairly and effectively.