Australia to Block Social Media for Children Under 16 Starting December 10, 2025

Legal Challenge and Public Response

Australia is preparing to implement one of the world’s strictest age-based restrictions on social media: beginning December 10, 2025, all users under 16 will be blocked from major platforms. The law, passed in November 2024, has triggered intense debate and a legal challenge filed by two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macie Nayland, with support from the Digital Freedom Project.

The plaintiffs argue the ban violates constitutional protections of political communication and removes parental authority to decide when their children are ready for digital participation. According to the group, the government overlooked less restrictive alternatives for youth safety online.

Global and Local Context

The lawsuit comes as Meta announced that it would close Instagram and Facebook accounts of Australian users under 16. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant confirmed that enforcement will vary by platform but emphasized that the government intends to move forward.

The government claims broad support, citing 120,000 parents who requested legislative action. The debate reflects global concerns: studies from the Australian Institute of Family Studies report that 72% of Australian teens aged 12–15 use social media daily, and almost 35% have experienced cyberbullying at least once.

International Trends

Other nations are also experimenting with restrictions.
• France (2023) proposed a ban for those under 15 unless parental approval is provided.
• The U.S. requires parental consent for data collection under 13 (COPPA) but does not impose a blanket ban.
• Denmark (2024) voted to restrict social media use for children under 15 due to mental-health concerns.

Broader Implications

Researchers warn that while restrictions may reduce exposure to harmful content, they could also push teens to use VPNs or anonymous accounts. According to OECD data, over 40% of teenagers globally bypass age limits using alternative accounts, raising questions about the practical enforcement of such bans.