Australia's Bold Move: Social Media Ban for Teens Sparks Mixed Reactions

Australia made history by banning social media for users under 16. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, stood firm behind this decision. He admitted that the rollout was not perfect. Some teens found ways to stay online. They even bragged about it on social media. The new law affects big platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. These companies must block underage users or pay huge fines. The government knew it would take time for the platforms to set up the necessary checks. Albanese spoke to radio stations about the challenges. He said, "Of course it isn't smooth. " He added, "If it was easy, someone else would have done it. " Other countries are watching Australia's move closely. Some, like the U. S. , are considering similar actions. Not everyone supports the ban. The United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, warned it might push kids to less safe parts of the internet. They said the ban alone is not enough. Companies need to improve their platforms and content moderation. The prime minister believes the ban will protect young people. He said it would "save lives and change lives. " But not everyone agrees. Some teens are finding ways around the ban. They are using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access social media. Before the ban, searches for VPNs surged in Australia. A free VPN provider saw a 65% spike in visits. Some platforms not covered by the ban saw a rise in downloads. Lemon8, owned by TikTok's parent company, set its age limit to 16. Another app, Yope, saw fast growth. Half of its users are over 16. The Australian government said the list of affected platforms is "dynamic. " This means it can change as needed. The ban is a big step, but its success remains to be seen.