FT News Briefing Australia is first country to ban social media for children
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Dec 10, 2025 
Ian Smith, Senior markets correspondent at the Financial Times, and Nick Files, their Australia and Pacific correspondent, dive into Australia's groundbreaking social media ban for kids under 16. They discuss the government's motivations, including concerns over addiction and bullying. Nick shares a powerful personal story that fueled the push for reform. They also explore potential consequences for tech companies and whether this legislation could inspire similar measures in other countries, making Australia a potential trendsetter.
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Diverging Global Rate Paths
- Markets expect rate divergence next year with some central banks priced for hikes while the Fed is seen cutting.
- This split could weaken the dollar and reshape borrowing costs and currency attractiveness globally.
Australia's Account Ban Not An Absolute Block
- Australia has banned accounts for under-16s on ten major apps while still allowing content access without accounts.
- The law shifts enforcement responsibility onto tech companies and fines non-compliance to curb algorithmic harms.
Tragic Case Motivated Parental Pressure
- Nick Files recounts Rob Evans's tragic story about his daughter Liv developing an eating disorder after seeing harmful content.
- Liv was hospitalised repeatedly and later took her own life, which her father attributes to access to damaging online material.