Australia Passes World's First Law Banning Social Media for Under-16s, Companies Face $33 Million Fines

Nov 28, 2024, 04:00 AM

Australia has passed a landmark law banning social media for children under the age of 16, making it the first country in the world to implement such stringent measures. The Australian Senate approved the bill on Thursday following its passage in the House of Representatives earlier in the week with a vote of 102 to 13. Under the new legislation, social media platforms are prohibited from allowing under-16s to hold accounts, and companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to $33 million. This move aims to protect children from potential harms associated with social media use and reflects growing concerns about the impact of online platforms on young people's mental health and well-being.