Overview
- The law compels platforms to deactivate existing underage accounts, block new sign-ups, and apply age verification under fines of up to A$49.5 million.
- The restrictions cover Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, and Reddit, while services such as YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp are excluded, with viewing allowed where no account is required.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the measure as a child mental-health protection step, citing evidence of near-universal use and frequent exposure to harmful content among 10–15 year-olds.
- Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok told lawmakers they had roughly 200,000 to 450,000 young Australian users, fueling concerns about lost ad revenues and prompting heavy industry lobbying.
- Scientists have launched longitudinal studies to track wellbeing and civic impacts, as debate continues over evasion risks, intrusive verification, effects on vulnerable youths, a two-year review clause, and moves in Denmark and the EU to consider similar policies.