TikTok, Instagram Ban for Australian Kids Heralds Global Curbs
Policymakers in other nations say they’re watching Australia’s age ban closely and planning moves of their own to protect young users.
Social media platforms will be required by law to block under-16s from holding accounts from Dec. 10.
Photographer: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Australia will soon ban its youth from popular services like TikTok and Instagram, becoming the world’s first democracy to carry out such a crackdown in response to growing concerns about social media’s harms. It’s likely to be the first of many.
The platforms will be required by law to block under-16s from holding accounts from Dec. 10, with companies that don’t comply facing fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million).