Key Takeaways
- The Australian government has implemented a ban on social media for those under 16, following a campaign led by the South Australian premier and supported by American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt.
- The ban was introduced as a solution to the mental health issues caused by social media, with Haidt prescribing a ban for those under 16.
- The federal government faced pressure to implement a national ban, with the then opposition leader Peter Dutton making it a signature policy for the Coalition.
- The ban has been met with resistance from social media platforms, including Google, which threatened legal action over YouTube’s inclusion in the ban.
- The eSafety commissioner has advised that YouTube should not be excluded from the ban, citing the algorithms used to determine the types of videos promoted to teens on the platform.
Introduction to the Ban
The idea of a social media ban for those under 16 was first introduced in late 2023, when the South Australian premier’s wife read Jonathan Haidt’s book "The Anxious Generation". Haidt, an American social psychologist, prescribed a social media ban for those under 16 as the solution to the mental health issues caused by social media. The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, took action, commissioning a review and holding a summit on the subject in partnership with New South Wales.
The Campaign for a Ban
The campaign for a ban gained momentum, with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen speaking at the summit, despite the South Australian government’s initial reluctance to hear from her. Haidt spoke via video link, expressing his enthusiasm for the potential ban, saying "We need to free kids from these traps by raising the age for opening social media to 16". The federal government faced pressure to implement a national ban, with the then opposition leader Peter Dutton making it a signature policy for the Coalition. News Corp launched the "Let Them Be Kids" campaign, which coincided with Meta’s announcement that it would not enter into new deals to pay media companies for news content.
The Introduction of the Legislation
The Labor government introduced the legislation, which was passed by parliament in a matter of days, with a committee barely reviewing the bill. The law placed the responsibility for enforcement of the ban on the platforms themselves, with a $22.5m technology trial run by a UK firm associated with age assurance providers. The government emphasized the top-line finding that the ban was workable, without closer examination of some of the shortfalls.
The Ban’s Scope and Enforcement
The ban’s scope and enforcement were largely left to the end of 2025, with the responsibility for deciding which platforms were covered and how the ban would work placed on the platforms themselves. The then communications minister, Michelle Rowland, said YouTube would have an exemption on education grounds, but this was not defined in the legislation. The eSafety commissioner advised the minister that YouTube should not be excluded from the ban, citing the algorithms used to determine the types of videos promoted to teens on the platform.
Resistance from Social Media Platforms
The ban has been met with resistance from social media platforms, including Google, which threatened legal action over YouTube’s inclusion in the ban. TikTok and Meta were also unhappy with the ban, citing the similarities between YouTube Shorts and their own short-form videos. The eSafety commissioner ultimately decided that the ban should cover TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch, with other platforms potentially being added later.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The countdown is on for the ban to take effect, with Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick all saying they will comply with the ban. A high court challenge against the ban has been lodged, but the hearing has been delayed until February. News Corp has done a victory lap for the ban, with News Corp Australia’s executive chair, Michael Miller, describing social media platforms as "true monsters" who "torment our children". The ban’s impact on social media use among those under 16 remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Australian government is taking a strong stance on the issue.