Starting from December 10, 2025, the Australian government has banned access to social networks for children under 16 years old. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
This decision applies to 10 major platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, and if they violate this ban, they may face a fine of 49.5 million Australian dollars. The main goal of the ban is to protect young people from harmful content on the internet as well as negative impacts on mental health.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recommended that children dedicate their free time to beneficial activities such as playing sports, learning new skills, reading books, and having face-to-face communication with their loved ones. This decision is also attracting the attention of other countries.
Experts emphasize that Australia’s experience can be considered as a model for other countries when developing rules to restrict social networks for youth. At the same time, technology companies express concerns that these restrictions may affect legal aspects and the growth of user numbers.
The Australian government plans to update the ban over time as new platforms emerge. According to data, before the ban came into effect, 86 percent of children aged 8–15 were using social networks.
This shows how widespread social networks are among children.
