In December 2025, Australia became the first country in the world to set a legal minimum age of 16 for social media use.[1] Under the new law, major social media companies must take reasonable steps to stop children under 16 from having accounts. Importantly, the responsibility is placed on the platforms themselves – not on parents or young people. Companies that fail to comply can face significant financial penalties. Within weeks of the law taking effect, millions of under-age accounts were reportedly removed or restricted, marking a major shift in how governments think about online safety for kids.[2]
This decision didn’t come out of nowhere. For years, families, educators, and health experts in Australia raised concerns about how social media affects children and teens. These concerns included mental health struggles, addictive design features, exposure to harmful content, and the way children’s attention is treated as a product to be bought and sold. Lawmakers described the new rules as a “duty of care,” recognizing that online spaces are not neutral and that children need extra protection while they are still developing. By delaying access to social media, the goal is to give young people more time to build confidence, social skills, and digital awareness before entering highly curated, algorithm-driven online spaces.[3]
Reactions from families have been mixed. Some parents report positive changes, such as better sleep, improved mood, and stronger in-person connections. Others worry about how the rules will be enforced, whether children will feel left out socially, or whether they might move to less safe corners of the internet. Privacy advocates have also raised concerns about how age checks are done and whether they could involve too much personal data. These debates highlight an important reality: there is no single solution that eliminates online harm, and every policy choice comes with trade-offs.[4]
For Canada, Australia’s experience offers helpful lessons – not necessarily something to copy and paste, but something to learn from. Right now, Canada relies largely on parents and on voluntary age limits set by social media companies, usually 13 years old. In practice, these limits are rarely enforced, and many younger children use social media anyway. Australia’s approach challenges this by saying that if companies profit from young users, they should also be responsible for protecting them. That shift in accountability is one of the most significant parts of the law.
Age limits alone, however, are not enough. Any Canadian approach would need to include education about digital literacy, access to mental health supports, and clear ways to report online harm. Young people don’t just need rules, they need tools to understand how social media influences their behaviour, self-image, and relationships.
Privacy also matters. As Canada discusses options like age-verification measures (Bill S-209), it is essential that any system be clear, limited, and respectful of personal information. Children should not have to give up their privacy to be protected. Canada has an opportunity to show that strong child protection and respect for privacy can – and should – go hand in hand.
It is also important to acknowledge that social media can have real benefits. For some young people, especially those who feel isolated or marginalized, online spaces can offer connection, community, and access to information they may not find elsewhere. A balanced approach should focus on reducing harm while preserving these positive aspects.
Australia’s minimum-age law is a bold and closely watched experiment. Its long-term effects on young people are still unfolding. For Canada, the key question isn’t just whether to introduce a similar rule, but how to approach children’s digital lives with care, balance, and responsibility. Protecting young people online isn’t about quick fixes – it’s about thoughtful policy, shared responsibility, and a commitment to dignity both online and offline.
[1] Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. (2025, December 11). Minimum age for social media access. https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/news/minimum-age-social-media-access
[2] Kaye, B., & Pal, A. (2026, January 16). Australia social media ban hits 4.7 million teen accounts in first month. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-social-media-ban-hits-47-million-teen-accounts-first-month-2026-01-15/
[3] Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). (2025, October 23). Social Media Minimum Age. https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/social-media-minimum-age
[4] BBC News. (2026, January 9). Australia social media ban: Teens share their views one month on. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mpmgn3jv2o
Holly Wood
Advocacy & Research Coordinator