Switzerland Weighs Under-16 Social Media Curbs After Australia’s Ban

Overview

• Australia’s new law has been in force since December 10 and requires platforms to delete or disable accounts for users 16 and under and block new sign-ups, with fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for violations.
• Élisabeth Baume‑Schneider said authorities will examine age-based restrictions or limits on harmful content and pressed platforms to take responsibility for what young users see.
• Fribourg’s cantonal parliament recently voted to bar children from using mobile phones at school until about age 15, reflecting parallel school-based measures.
• Buenos Aires convened an expert panel to shape a national child digital protection program and to study whether restrictions similar to Australia’s should be evaluated.
• Australia’s policy has drawn praise from parents and child-welfare advocates and criticism from major tech firms and free-expression supporters.