Australia Moves to Strengthen Social Media Ban for Teens After Study Shows Limited Effect
Australia's prime minister has announced plans to reinforce the country's social media ban for children, as a new study suggests the law has had minimal impact on teenage usage since its introduction six months ago.
The law, the first of its kind globally, prohibits platforms such as Meta's Instagram and Google's YouTube from granting accounts to users under the age of 16. The government now intends to stress-test the legislation to ensure its effectiveness and durability.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated on Friday, 'What we want to do is to make sure that the laws are as strong as possible and that they will withstand any legal challenges which are made.' His remarks came during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
The study, which assessed the ban's early impact, found that teenage engagement with social media remained largely unchanged, raising questions about enforcement and compliance. The government has not specified the exact measures for stress-testing but aims to close any loopholes that may allow underage access.
The move reflects ongoing global efforts to address the effects of social media on minors, with several countries considering similar restrictions. Australia's approach remains a closely watched experiment in digital regulation.
