Sydney, December 9, 2025 – Australia will make history at midnight local time (16:00 Greece / 14:00 UTC) when the world’s first nationwide ban on social media for children under 16 takes effect.
Major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and three others must immediately block all Australian accounts belonging to users under 16 or face fines of up to AU$49.5 million (approximately €28 million / US$32 million) per breach.
The landmark law, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in November 2024, allows no exceptions and does not permit parental consent. The government estimates the measure will affect more than 1.4 million underage accounts.
Tech giants and free-speech advocates have strongly criticised the legislation, while parents, child-welfare organisations and mental-health experts have largely welcomed it.
Governments in Europe, North America, Asia and beyond – from Denmark and several U.S. states to Malaysia – have signalled they are closely watching the Australian “experiment” and considering similar age limits.
“While Australia is the first to implement such restrictions, it is unlikely to be the last,” said Professor Tama Leaver, internet studies expert at Curtin University. “This is the canary in the coal mine for how nations can push back against Big Tech power.”
The initial list covers ten platforms but will be regularly updated as new apps emerge or teens migrate to alternatives.
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.
