Kids in Australia will no longer be able to have accounts on social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat as Australia’s under-16 social media ban kicks in Wednesday.
The new law, which was passed by parliament in 2024, intends to shield children from harmful online content and addictive algorithms, as well as reduce cyberbullying and grooming. It comes amid rising suicide and self-harm rates among Gen-Z Australians.
“This is the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies. They are asserting the right of kids to be kids and for parents to have greater peace of mind,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC on Wednesday.
The typical minimum age to make an account on most social media platforms is 13, though historically there’s been

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