Australia has passed a groundbreaking new law aimed at restricting access to social media for children under the age of 16. This legislation seeks to address growing concerns about the negative effects of social media on young people’s mental health, safety, and overall well-being.

Under the new law, social media platforms will be required to verify the age of users and prevent anyone under 16 from creating an account or using their services. The law has been introduced after much debate over the increasing use of social media among minors, which has been linked to issues like cyberbullying, online harassment, and exposure to inappropriate content.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect children from the potential dangers of the online world, which can often be difficult for young users to navigate safely. The legislation aims to give parents more control over their children’s online activities and to reduce exposure to harmful content such as graphic violence, explicit materials, or harmful social pressures often found on these platforms.

Critics of the law, however, raise concerns about its potential to infringe on the rights of children and their ability to access useful online resources. Some argue that such a blanket ban could lead to unintended consequences, including limiting educational opportunities or hindering social connections that are increasingly made online.

Despite the opposition, the law has garnered significant support within the Australian government, and authorities have promised to work closely with tech companies to ensure its enforcement. The move positions Australia as one of the first countries to take such an aggressive stance on protecting children from the risks of social media.