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Social media ban for under 16s in Australia

6 replies

BetternutSquish · 20/11/2025 08:41

I'm listening to the news about how in December there will be a social media ban for under 16s in Australia. Interesting to watch and see how it pans out. I hope it works but I suspect it will be impossible to implement in reality.

OP posts:
custardlover · 20/11/2025 16:46

I think that it’s parents who will freak out when they realise there’s no YouTube for their kids any more!

what happens when turn 16 then? It’s all fine and they can see all the harmful content they want with no incentive for the platforms to modify them as it’s all ‘for adults’

SteelyEyed · 21/11/2025 13:14

Don't be silly, It's not that they can't watch Youtube etc, they just can't have their own accounts (where they inevitably get trolled by creeps and hit on by scammers...). I think it's an excellent idea, mainly in the backup it gives to parents who are trying to protect their children from the clear harm of social media. Being able to say 'no you can't have Tik Tok till you're 16 - it's the law!' is going to be a very helpful tool for parents in this fight. And it is a fight.

KnickerlessParsons · 21/11/2025 13:18

I also think it's an excellent idea. It might get kids out of their bedrooms and actually talking to people in person again.

Needmorelego · 21/11/2025 13:21

How does it actually going to work though?
Parents who are ok with their children using social media will just set up accounts under their name.

OhDear111 · 21/11/2025 13:24

@Needmorelego Of course that will happen. It would here too. The best way to protect dc is to educate them but many aren’t going to listen. They get drawn in and have not acquired the maturity to be selective. Parents will not all support this.

Needmorelego · 21/11/2025 13:29

OhDear111 · 21/11/2025 13:24

@Needmorelego Of course that will happen. It would here too. The best way to protect dc is to educate them but many aren’t going to listen. They get drawn in and have not acquired the maturity to be selective. Parents will not all support this.

Just seems a bit pointless making it an actual law.

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