Australia has officially activated its unprecedented new law banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms—marking a global first in digital safety regulation. As the legislation came into force, Elon Musk’s platform X announced that it will comply fully with the requirement.
“It’s not our choice—it’s what the Australian law requires,” X stated, acknowledging that the move is driven by tightening national regulations rather than internal policy decisions.
X, formerly known as Twitter, was the final platform among 10 regulated social networks to declare its plan of action. Major platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok have also committed to removing or restricting accounts belonging to Australia-based users under 16.
Failure to comply could result in severe penalties, including fines of up to US$33 million for companies that do not take “reasonable steps” to identify and remove underage users.
The Australian government has defended the strict approach, saying bold measures are essential to protect young users from what they describe as “predatory algorithms” that can expose children to bullying, explicit content and violent material.
As this landmark shift unfolds, it raises deeper questions about how societies worldwide will balance digital freedom, child safety and tech-driven influence. At the center of it all is a shared responsibility—from governments to platforms to families—to create safer digital spaces where young people can grow without being consumed by the weight of online harms. It is a reminder that behind every policy, every platform and every argument about tech regulation, there is a child whose well-being must come first.
