CANBERRA, Wednesday, December 10, 2025 (WNP): Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday hailed the enforcement of a landmark law banning social media accounts for children under the age of 16, calling it “a proud day to be prime minister of Australia.”

The world-first legislation, which came into effect today, requires major digital platforms — including Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X, Snapchat, Kick, Twitch, TikTok, Reddit and YouTube — to block account creation for users below 16 and to strengthen age-verification mechanisms across all services.

The law aims to protect children from online grooming, cyberbullying, exploitation, and exposure to harmful content. Platforms now face significant fines for non-compliance, making Australia the first country to impose binding, universal age-restriction obligations on social media companies.

Prime Minister Albanese said the legislation reflects Australia’s commitment to safeguarding young people in an increasingly digital world. He emphasized that while social media offers opportunities for communication and creativity, it also poses serious risks that governments must address proactively.

Under the new rules, platforms must deploy verified age-assurance technologies and ensure that existing accounts belonging to underage users are reviewed and removed where necessary. Parents and guardians will also be able to report suspected underage accounts directly through streamlined complaint processes.

The law has drawn global attention, with child-safety advocates calling it a milestone, while some digital-rights groups raise concerns about privacy implications surrounding age-verification systems.

Australia’s move is expected to influence regulatory debates in other countries, many of which are exploring stricter frameworks to protect minors online.