‘Everyone will miss the socialising – but it’s also a relief’: five young teens on Australia’s social media ban

The Guardian TechnologySaturday, December 6, 2025 at 2:00:55 PM
NeutralTechnology
‘Everyone will miss the socialising – but it’s also a relief’: five young teens on Australia’s social media ban
  • Australia is set to implement a groundbreaking social media ban for individuals under the age of 16, effective December 10, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance online safety for minors, with mixed reactions from the public and experts regarding its potential effectiveness and implications for youth socialization.
  • The ban requires social media platforms to enforce age restrictions and report on the closure of underage accounts, reflecting a significant shift in how online safety is approached for younger users in Australia. This move is part of a broader trend, with other countries like Malaysia and Denmark planning similar regulations.
  • As the ban approaches, many teenagers are reportedly seeking alternative platforms to maintain their social connections, highlighting a potential shift in online behavior among youth. The effectiveness of these measures, including preventing the use of VPNs to bypass restrictions, remains a topic of debate among privacy advocates and policymakers.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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