In a world-first crackdown, Australia has banned citizens under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, declaring it was time to “take back control” from formidable tech giants.
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A raft of popular apps, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X, face fines of up to US$33 million if they fail to purge Australian users younger than 16.
The laws came into effect after midnight local time on Wednesday. The government stated that these unprecedented measures are necessary to protect children from “predatory algorithms” that expose them to bullying, sex, and violence.
Australia is now one of the first nations to push back so forcefully against major tech companies.
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