Global News Podcast Australia bans social media for under-16s
28 snips
Dec 9, 2025 
In this enlightening discussion, Chris Vallance, a technology correspondent, delves into Australia's groundbreaking law prohibiting under-16s from accessing social media, unveiling its implications and hefty fines for non-compliance. Katie Watson, the Australia correspondent, shares compelling stories from teenagers and families adapting to life without social media, highlighting both connectivity challenges in rural areas and the potential for reduced bullying. Together, they explore the ban's societal impact and the ongoing debate on its effectiveness.
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Australia Raises Minimum Social Media Age
- Australia raised the minimum social media age from 13 to 16 and requires platforms to take "reasonable steps" to verify users.
- Companies face fines up to A$50m if they fail, shifting regulation toward access control rather than content changes.
Use Messaging And Games To Stay Connected
- Messaging apps like WhatsApp and gaming platforms such as Roblox and Discord remain available for teens to communicate.
- Use these alternatives deliberately to keep under-16s connected while complying with new social media limits.
Global Interest, Different Approaches
- Several European countries consider similar measures but often include parental consent options for 13–16 year-olds.
- Child safety groups argue platforms should be made safer rather than banning younger users outright.