Australia raises minimum age for social media use to 16 years

World-first social media* reforms* introduced by the Australian Government have become law after being passed by both Houses of Parliament*.

Social media giants will face $50 million fines for failing to take “reasonable” steps to ensure Australians under the age of 16 are not on their platforms under the historic new laws designed to protect Aussie kids.

The federal government’s bill to raise the minimum age for accessing platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat in Australia passed the Senate on Thursday 34 votes to 19 and is on its way to come into effect in 2026 after the lower house rubber stamped* the final proposal early Friday morning.

On Wednesday, the bill had passed in the House of Representatives 102 votes to 13.

Anthony Albanese told News Corp his government was proud to have delivered the “world leading result” vowing to hold social media giants to account for the physical and mental toll on Australian children.

“Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs,” the Prime Minister said.

“Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them.”

The legislation comes after News Corp’s Let Them Be Kids campaign launched in May calling on politicians to back raising the minimum age of social media to 16 based on the advice of health, wellbeing, tech and psychology experts.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said he was glad the Coalition had “led the way” on the issue, having pledged to raise the minimum age of social media in June this year.

“I also pay tribute to News Corp’s Let Them Be Kids campaign for getting this discussion going and seeing it through,” he said.

“Australian families are deeply disturbed by what our kids are seeing online. This legislation will help.”

Mr Dutton said it was a “defining* and critical issue” for many Australian families and it was well past time that this action was taken.

“These laws are an important step to make social media companies put the best interests of our kids ahead of their own profits*,” he said.

While the law has been passed by both Houses of Parliament, it won’t come into effect until the end of next year, giving social media companies a grace period* of one year to figure out how they will implement the ban.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• social media: websites where people can post videos, photos and other content to a network of people
• reforms: changes to the laws
• Houses of Parliament: there are two House of parliament, the House of Representatives and the Senate where a piece of legislation must be voted on before it becomes law
• rubber stamped: approved or made official
• defining: making a huge difference
• profits: the money companies make from selling their products and services
• grace period: a period of time where they won’t be penalised

EXTRA READING
Snapchat included in U16 reforms
PM outlines U16 social media ban
Harold helps kids stay safe online

QUICK QUIZ
1. What is the new minimum age for social media in Australia?
2. When will the law come into effect?
3. What penalties will social media companies face if they breach the laws?
4. Name two social media companies that will be impacted by the law?
5. What are the two Houses of Parliament in Australia?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What do the public think?
The social media reforms are a controversial topic. Find out what “the public” think by interviewing (at least) three people you know. Start by writing five probing questions that will get your interviewees sharing their views. Try to choose three interviewees who will each look at the topic from a different point of view – e.g. a child under 16; an older teen; a parent; a grandparent; a teacher; etc. Write down or audio record their answers.

Write a short summary of what you found out from the public through your interviews.

Time: allow 40 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

2. Extension
What was your view on this topic prior to your interviews and what is your view now? Write to explain how and why hearing the views of others has confirmed or altered your stance.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Personal and Social Capability

VCOP ACTIVITY
BAB it!
Show you have read and understood the article by writing three sentences using the connectives “because’’, “and”, and “but” (BAB). Your sentences can share different facts or opinions, or the same ones but written about in different ways.