Australia has taken a bold leap, becoming the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16. The Albanese government’s groundbreaking legislation passed the Senate late last night, aiming to shield young Australians from the darker corners of the digital world.

The move comes amid growing concerns about the toxic nature of social media spaces. From relentless cyberbullying to unrealistic beauty standards and algorithm-driven rabbit holes, the online environment has become a minefield for young minds. Mental health experts point to rising rates of anxiety and depression, with many saying the damage begins early—and doesn’t stop.

16 year old Alex Gordon, who started on social media when she was 12, doesn’t see the point in the ban. She believes the world has now evolved to being mostly online and to deprive youngsters of this world wouldn’t be fair.

“Everything is on social media, that’s how you learn and meet people now. Adults are always saying you need to get out into the ‘real’ world, but social media is the real world now,” says Gordon.

But it’s not just teens who are falling victim. Adults, often the loudest voices in these virtual spaces, set a poor example. Whether it's the spread of misinformation, public shaming, or vitriolic comment threads, the behaviour of grown-ups online has raised questions about whether they are equipped to be role models for the next generation.

While the legislation enjoys broad support from major parties, critics remain. Tech giants like Meta and TikTok argue the law is impractical and risks pushing children onto more dangerous, unregulated platforms. Privacy advocates warn that age-verification systems, which may include biometric data, could pose new risks.

Gordon cited the failure of the current age restrictions on social media, which don’t allow people below the age of 13 to use them, as proof that young people will still be able to find a way to use the sites.

“You can’t really stop kids from being on social media, there was already an over 13 age restriction on it and there’s plenty of kids under 13 on social media,” says Gordon.

Mental health experts are similarly divided. Dr Leah Andrews, a child psychologist, supports the ban but warns against a one-size-fits-all approach. “Kids need protection, but banning social media doesn’t address why it’s so toxic in the first place,” she said.

With a year-long trial period ahead to finalise regulations, questions remain about how this ban will work in practice. Will it genuinely protect children, or just paper over deeper cultural issues?

Australia has made history with this decision, but is banning children from social media enough when adults still struggle to behave responsibly online?