Australia’s ‘world-first’ social media ban for under-16s takes effect

Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed Wednesday's world-first social media ban for under-16s as families reclaiming control from tech giants, though he cautioned implementation would prove challenging.

Parents reported children in distress after sudden account lockouts under the landmark law, with some young users bypassing age detection by drawing facial hair and others aided by siblings.

“This is the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies, and they're asserting the right of kids to be kids and for parents to have greater peace of mind,” Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Twitch risk fines up to A$49.5 million (US$32.9 million) for failing to reasonably remove Australian under-16 accounts.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant will issue notices on Thursday demanding compliance details from the 10 platforms, promising public updates before Christmas on enforcement and account closures.

Communications Minister Anika Wells noted over 200,000 TikTok accounts already deactivated, warning evaders face ongoing checks via user data like beach photos or school mentions despite VPN tricks.

Albanese acknowledged imperfections but stressed platforms' social responsibility against predatory algorithms.

Sextortion victim Wayne Holdsworth called the ban a vital start requiring online safety education, while 12-year-old advocate Flossie Brodribb hoped for global adoption to foster healthier childhoods.

Simone Clements worried about financial hits to her 15-year-old influencer twins in entertainment, where social media drives portfolios and income, though follower loss looms largest.

With inputs from AP