Children under the age of 16 in Australia are now banned from having accounts on major social media platforms.
Platforms, starting from today, will take some time to work through accounts, trying to eliminate those under 16.
The move, a world first, is one of the biggest social and cultural changes Australia has faced.
“It is profound reform which will be a source of national pride in years to come,” said prime minister Anthony Albanese.
“The onus will be on social media companies to ensure no child under 16 is on their platforms.
“If they have not taken reasonable steps to remove them they will have broken Australian law and be subject to substantial fines. Social media companies have a social responsibility. That responsibility starts with the protection of Australian children.”
Albanese said it was a sombre experience of meeting with mums and dads who have seen their child's wellbeing crushed by the worst of social media, many living with the devastating pain of losing a child.
"We're doing this for those parents, and for every parent," Albanese said.
The eSafety Commissioner will begin collecting the data from platforms to check how many under 16s are on, and off, and this information will be made public.
It will take some time to remove all underage users
Eighty-six per cent of children between eight and 15 are already on social media, according to the federal government.
The platforms subject to the ban include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit.
Reddit is reportedly planning a legal challenge to the ban.
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