Australia's world-first social media ban for children kicks in

Technology

Move intended to help youths avoid harm, but experts question limits on expression

20251209 social media

A girl poses while holding her phone in Sydney. Australia is banning those 15 years of age and under from social media. © Reuters

SOPHIE MAK

December 10, 2025 09:32 JST

SYDNEY -- Australia has become the world's first country to ban youths from social media platforms with the implementation on Wednesday of landmark legislation that advocates say will protect young people from potential harms that lurk online.

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