Will Australia’s social media ban start a global trend?
Summary
This episode explores Australia's pioneering 2025 social media ban for under-16s, analyzing the motivations driven by rising concerns over youth mental health and online harm. Experts discuss the practical challenges of age verification, potential workarounds by teens, and the broader debate on whether governments should ban access or focus on making digital platforms inherently safer for all users. The global implications and differing international approaches to digital regulation are also examined.Episode description
On 10 December 2025, Australia will become the first country in the world to ban under-16s from using social media apps. Children will have their accounts deactivated on most platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and Facebook.
Critics say the ban could push children to unregulated platforms, but prime minister Anthony Albanese argues the new law is to safeguard vulnerable members of society. World leaders are watching with interest.
Politicians from the UK, Denmark, Greece and France have all suggested tighter controls could be coming soon. New Zealand’s government wants tougher rules too, and public debates are also beginning in Japan and Indonesia.
Will Australia’s social media ban start a global trend? We speak to Terry Flew, professor of digital communication and culture at the University of Sydney, Australia; Sonia Livingstone, professor in the department of media and communications at the London School of Economics, United Kingdom; Lisa Given, professor of information sciences at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia and Jessica Galissaire, senior policy researcher at Interface, France
Producer/presenter: Daniel Rosney Researcher: Evie Yabsley Production management assistant: Liam Morrey Sound engineer: James Bradshaw Editor: Tom Bigwood
(Photo: A child looking at a mobile phone. Credit: David Gray/AFP)