Australia Enacts World-First Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The new law requires platforms to verify users' ages but raises privacy concerns with ID and facial data options.

Australia has become the first country to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, with the law passing on November 28, 2024.
Social media companies face fines of up to $32 million if they fail to enforce the age restriction, which mandates 'reasonable steps' to verify users' ages.
The law allows alternatives to ID verification, such as facial recognition technology, sparking privacy concerns over the use of sensitive biometric data.
Critics warn the ban could lead to unintended consequences, such as driving teens to unregulated platforms or isolating them socially.
Supporters argue the law sends a strong message to tech companies to prioritize child safety, though its effectiveness and implementation remain unclear.