16:58

Social Media Ban

EU and UK consider stricter social media rules for teens following Australia’s example

The possibility of restricting social media access for children is a hot topic in the European Union and the United Kingdom, after Australia implemented a world-first ban for those under 16. Lawmakers have labelled the ban a “real-world test” of how far governments can go to protect young people.

06:37

Social Media Ban

Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban

Australia has become the first country to ban social media for children under 16 years of age, blocking access to platforms including TikTok, Alphabet's YouTube and Meta's Instagram and Facebook on Wednesday (10 December).

09:49

Australian teenagers

Australian teens face ‘cold turkey’ summer as social media ban kicks in

Australia is poised to launch the world’s strictest crackdown on youth internet usage, turning the country into a global petri dish for digital regulation just as schools break up for the long summer holidays.

13:49

Agenda of December

December 2025: Key global events to follow

December 2025 promises a month full of transformative moments, from significant legal releases and international meetings to cultural milestones and controversial elections. Here’s a look at the key stories set to unfold.

11:50

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey praises Australia's social media ban for children

American talk show host Oprah Winfrey has praised Australia's decision to ban social media for under-16s from next week, saying the move would help young people socialise more.

15:26

Kazakhstan social media

Kazakhstan moves to ban social media for under 16s as Australia's law nears implementation

Kazakhstan has drafted a bill that would prohibit users under the age of 16 from registering on most online platforms.

18:39

Social Media Ban

Australia to track teen 'migratory patterns' as social media ban takes effect

Australia will become the first country to ban social media accounts for users under 16 starting 10 December, with regulators tracking “migratory patterns” to stop teens shifting to other platforms, Communications Minister Anika Wells said on Wednesday (3 December).

07:59

Social Media

YouTube will comply with Australia's teen social media ban

Google’s YouTube has announced a “disappointing update” for millions of Australian users and creators, confirming it will comply with the country’s world-first ban on social media access for under-16s by locking affected users out of their accounts within days.

11:47

social media ban

Australian teenagers launch High Court bid to halt under-16 social media ban

Two 15-year-olds have asked Australia’s High Court to strike down a forthcoming ban on social media use by under-16s, arguing the law breaches the country’s implied freedom of political communication ahead of its 10 December start.

18:21

Australia

Meta to block teen users in Australia ahead of social media ban

Meta will block all Australian users under the age of 16 from accessing Instagram, Facebook and Threads by 10 December, as the company moves to comply with a sweeping new law that bans minors from using major social media platforms.

11:36

Social media ban

Australia says social media ban is 'for the good of our kids' in new ad campaign

Australia has launched a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign that depicts its world-first ban on social media for teenagers as "for the good of our kids" ahead of its December start date.

22:13

Australia

Australia accuses YouTube, Apple of ignoring online child abuse

Australia's internet safety regulator has criticised YouTube and Apple for failing to track or respond adequately to reports of child sexual abuse material on their platforms.

02:41

Australia

Australia adds YouTube to teen social media ban after watchdog warning

The Australian government has reversed its earlier decision to exempt YouTube from a landmark social media ban targeting under-16s, following concerns raised by the country’s internet watchdog.

13:00

social media ban

Texas moves closer to banning social media for minors

Texas is poised to become the second U.S. state to implement a sweeping ban on social media use by minors, joining a growing movement among states to regulate digital access for children amid rising concerns over mental health and online safety.

18:25

TÜRKIYE

Türkiye fines Meta for refusing to suspend protests-linked accounts

Meta announced it had been hit with a "substantial" fine for refusing to comply with Turkish government demands to restrict content on Facebook and Instagram.

10:35

World News

Big Tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths under 16