Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged on Wednesday that many teenagers were still accessing social media despite the world's first-ever ban on its use for those under 16, which came into effect the previous day. He admitted that implementation would "inevitably be chaotic" in the first few days, while asserting that the measure would ultimately "save lives."
Since its adoption, the law has sparked a flood of online reactions, particularly from young people claiming to be minors and openly stating that they were still able to use the targeted platforms. One of them even left a message on the Prime Minister's TikTok account declaring: "I'm still here, just wait until I can vote."
For Canberra, this ban responds to growing concerns about the effects of social media on children's mental health and safety. The government states that it wants to protect young people from harassment, harmful content, and early exposure to digital environments deemed dangerous.
Despite the significant technical challenges involved in identifying underage users and controlling access, Albanese believes the law is a necessary step forward and that adjustments will be made gradually. The platforms, for their part, have not yet detailed the additional measures they intend to implement to comply with the new Australian regulations.
