Australia banned under-16s from social media in a world-first crackdown on Wednesday, declaring it was time to “take back control” from formidable tech giants.
A raft of popular apps and websites — Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X among them — face US$33 million fines if they fail to purge Australia-based users younger than 16.
Australia becomes one of the first nations to push back so forcefully against tech companies with immense political power, in a move other countries are looking at closely.
“Enough is enough,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“It is one of the biggest social and cultural changes that our nation has faced.
The government says unprecedented measures are needed to protect children from “predatory algorithms” filling phone screens with bullying, sex, and violence.
The laws came into effect after midnight local time across Australia.
Hundreds of thousands of adolescents woke up to find themselves locked out of apps they once scrolled through for hours each day.
