Australia bans teens from social media, but nobody thinks it'll really work

Australia's ban on children under 16 holding active social media accounts comes into force on Wednesday. While nobody expects this world-first policy to stop every kid using their favorite online communities, its backers take solace in the mere fact it's sparked global debate.

The ban won’t stop kids using social media, and nobody disputes that. Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has admitted as much.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Kik
• Reddit
• Snapchat
• Threads
• TikTok
• Twitch
• X (formerly Twitter)
• YouTube

“From the beginning, we’ve acknowledged this process won’t be 100 per cent perfect,” he wrote in an opinion piece that compares the social media ban to laws that regulate underage drinking.

“The fact that teenagers occasionally find a way to have a drink doesn’t diminish the value of having a clear, national standard,” the PM added.

Albanese also said the policy is “about helping parents push back against ...