Australia sharing tips on suppressing social networks for youngsters prior to age restriction begins in December

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Government shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposal

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff says

Israel-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas members

Los Angeles County declares state of emergency over immigration raids

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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsShopInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onAustralia sharing tips on curbing social media for children before age limit starts in DecemberThe Australian government has begun a public education campaign with tips on how to wean children off social media ahead of a world-first national 16-year age limit taking effectByROD MCGUIRK Associated PressOctober 17, 2025, 1:16 AM1:32FILE - 14-year-old Henry, right, and Angel, 15, use their phones to view social media in Sydney, on Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)The Associated PressMELBOURNE, Australia -- MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government has begun a public education campaign with tips on how to wean children off social media ahead of a world-first national 16-year age limit taking effect in December.Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Friday that information on her agency's website, esafety.gov.au, explained the new laws and how to navigate them.Starting Dec. 10, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) if they don’t take reasonable steps to prevent Australians younger than 16 from holding accounts.Messages raising awareness will also be shared starting Sunday across digital channels, television, radio and billboards.“We want children to have childhoods. We want parents to have peace of mind and we want young people — young Australians — to have three more years to learn who they are before platforms assume who they are,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters, referring to the current de facto 13-year age limit for social media accounts based on U.S. privacy legislation.The Australian age restrictions have already proved polarizing, with some experts warning the changes will harm as well as protect children. More than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter to the government last year opposing a social media age limit as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”Despite that warning, the laws passed with resounding support last year. The platforms had a year to figure out how to comply without foolproof technology available to verify ages.Inman Grant said the social media age restriction would be a “very monumental event for a lot of young people.”Her agency offered checklists and conversation starters about ways to make the transition, such as following an online influencer through a website rather than a social media account, she said.Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM“How do we start weaning them from social media now so it isn’t a shock on Dec. 10? How do we help them download their archives and their memories and how do we make sure that they’re in touch with friends and are aware of mental health support if they’re feeling down when they’re not tethered to their phones over the holiday period?” she added.Australia’s move is being watched closely by countries that share concerns about social media impacts on young children.Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia Ingrid Dahl-Madsen said her government would use its current presidency of the Council of the European Union to push the agenda of protecting children from social media harms.“This is something that is a global challenge and we are all looking at how we can manage it best and we are looking to Australia and we will be looking at what Australia does,” Dahl-Madsen told Australian Broadcasting Corp. in Melbourne on Monday.“It’s so important that Australia and Demark and the EU — we share lessons, we compare experiences and we can push forward hopefully practical progress on this,” she added. It was about "protecting our children in this digital world that is increasingly complicated."The Danish government last week proposed legislating an age limit of 15. But Dahl-Madsen said Denmark would consider letting parents exempt their children who were 13-14. Australia has no similar exemption.Sponsored Content by TaboolaPopular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PMLos Angeles County declares state of emergency over immigration raidsOct 14, 9:51 PMABC News Live24/7 coverage of breaking news and live eventsABC News NetworkPrivacy PolicyYour US State Privacy RightsChildren's Online Privacy PolicyInterest-Based AdsAbout Nielsen MeasurementTerms of UseDo Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationContact Us © 2025 ABC News

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Australia sharing tips on curbing social media for children before age limit starts in DecemberThe Australian government has begun a public education campaign with tips on how to wean children off social media ahead of a world-first national 16-year age limit taking effectByROD MCGUIRK Associated PressOctober 17, 2025, 1:16 AM1:32FILE - 14-year-old Henry, right, and Angel, 15, use their phones to view social media in Sydney, on Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)The Associated PressMELBOURNE, Australia -- MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government has begun a public education campaign with tips on how to wean children off social media ahead of a world-first national 16-year age limit taking effect in December.Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Friday that information on her agency's website, esafety.gov.au, explained the new laws and how to navigate them.Starting Dec. 10, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) if they don’t take reasonable steps to prevent Australians younger than 16 from holding accounts.Messages raising awareness will also be shared starting Sunday across digital channels, television, radio and billboards.“We want children to have childhoods. We want parents to have peace of mind and we want young people — young Australians — to have three more years to learn who they are before platforms assume who they are,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters, referring to the current de facto 13-year age limit for social media accounts based on U.S. privacy legislation.The Australian age restrictions have already proved polarizing, with some experts warning the changes will harm as well as protect children. More than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter to the government last year opposing a social media age limit as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”Despite that warning, the laws passed with resounding support last year. The platforms had a year to figure out how to comply without foolproof technology available to verify ages.Inman Grant said the social media age restriction would be a “very monumental event for a lot of young people.”Her agency offered checklists and conversation starters about ways to make the transition, such as following an online influencer through a website rather than a social media account, she said.Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM“How do we start weaning them from social media now so it isn’t a shock on Dec. 10? How do we help them download their archives and their memories and how do we make sure that they’re in touch with friends and are aware of mental health support if they’re feeling down when they’re not tethered to their phones over the holiday period?” she added.Australia’s move is being watched closely by countries that share concerns about social media impacts on young children.Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia Ingrid Dahl-Madsen said her government would use its current presidency of the Council of the European Union to push the agenda of protecting children from social media harms.“This is something that is a global challenge and we are all looking at how we can manage it best and we are looking to Australia and we will be looking at what Australia does,” Dahl-Madsen told Australian Broadcasting Corp. in Melbourne on Monday.“It’s so important that Australia and Demark and the EU — we share lessons, we compare experiences and we can push forward hopefully practical progress on this,” she added. It was about "protecting our children in this digital world that is increasingly complicated."The Danish government last week proposed legislating an age limit of 15. But Dahl-Madsen said Denmark would consider letting parents exempt their children who were 13-14. Australia has no similar exemption.Sponsored Content by TaboolaPopular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PMLos Angeles County declares state of emergency over immigration raidsOct 14, 9:51 PMABC News Live24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

The Australian government has begun a public education campaign with tips on how to wean children off social media ahead of a world-first national 16-year age limit taking effect

ByROD MCGUIRK Associated PressOctober 17, 2025, 1:16 AM

1:32FILE - 14-year-old Henry, right, and Angel, 15, use their phones to view social media in Sydney, on Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)The Associated Press

FILE - 14-year-old Henry, right, and Angel, 15, use their phones to view social media in Sydney, on Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)The Associated Press

FILE - 14-year-old Henry, right, and Angel, 15, use their phones to view social media in Sydney, on Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

MELBOURNE, Australia -- MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government has begun a public education campaign with tips on how to wean children off social media ahead of a world-first national 16-year age limit taking effect in December.Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Friday that information on her agency's website, esafety.gov.au, explained the new laws and how to navigate them.Starting Dec. 10, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) if they don’t take reasonable steps to prevent Australians younger than 16 from holding accounts.Messages raising awareness will also be shared starting Sunday across digital channels, television, radio and billboards.“We want children to have childhoods. We want parents to have peace of mind and we want young people — young Australians — to have three more years to learn who they are before platforms assume who they are,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters, referring to the current de facto 13-year age limit for social media accounts based on U.S. privacy legislation.The Australian age restrictions have already proved polarizing, with some experts warning the changes will harm as well as protect children. More than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter to the government last year opposing a social media age limit as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”Despite that warning, the laws passed with resounding support last year. The platforms had a year to figure out how to comply without foolproof technology available to verify ages.Inman Grant said the social media age restriction would be a “very monumental event for a lot of young people.”Her agency offered checklists and conversation starters about ways to make the transition, such as following an online influencer through a website rather than a social media account, she said.Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM“How do we start weaning them from social media now so it isn’t a shock on Dec. 10? How do we help them download their archives and their memories and how do we make sure that they’re in touch with friends and are aware of mental health support if they’re feeling down when they’re not tethered to their phones over the holiday period?” she added.Australia’s move is being watched closely by countries that share concerns about social media impacts on young children.Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia Ingrid Dahl-Madsen said her government would use its current presidency of the Council of the European Union to push the agenda of protecting children from social media harms.“This is something that is a global challenge and we are all looking at how we can manage it best and we are looking to Australia and we will be looking at what Australia does,” Dahl-Madsen told Australian Broadcasting Corp. in Melbourne on Monday.“It’s so important that Australia and Demark and the EU — we share lessons, we compare experiences and we can push forward hopefully practical progress on this,” she added. It was about "protecting our children in this digital world that is increasingly complicated."The Danish government last week proposed legislating an age limit of 15. But Dahl-Madsen said Denmark would consider letting parents exempt their children who were 13-14. Australia has no similar exemption.

Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Friday that information on her agency's website, esafety.gov.au, explained the new laws and how to navigate them.

Starting Dec. 10, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) if they don’t take reasonable steps to prevent Australians younger than 16 from holding accounts.

Messages raising awareness will also be shared starting Sunday across digital channels, television, radio and billboards.

“We want children to have childhoods. We want parents to have peace of mind and we want young people — young Australians — to have three more years to learn who they are before platforms assume who they are,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters, referring to the current de facto 13-year age limit for social media accounts based on U.S. privacy legislation.

The Australian age restrictions have already proved polarizing, with some experts warning the changes will harm as well as protect children. More than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter to the government last year opposing a social media age limit as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”

Despite that warning, the laws passed with resounding support last year. The platforms had a year to figure out how to comply without foolproof technology available to verify ages.

Inman Grant said the social media age restriction would be a “very monumental event for a lot of young people.”

Her agency offered checklists and conversation starters about ways to make the transition, such as following an online influencer through a website rather than a social media account, she said.

Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM

Government shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PM

Government shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposal

Israel-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PM

Israel-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas members

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff says

“How do we start weaning them from social media now so it isn’t a shock on Dec. 10? How do we help them download their archives and their memories and how do we make sure that they’re in touch with friends and are aware of mental health support if they’re feeling down when they’re not tethered to their phones over the holiday period?” she added.

Australia’s move is being watched closely by countries that share concerns about social media impacts on young children.

Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia Ingrid Dahl-Madsen said her government would use its current presidency of the Council of the European Union to push the agenda of protecting children from social media harms.

“This is something that is a global challenge and we are all looking at how we can manage it best and we are looking to Australia and we will be looking at what Australia does,” Dahl-Madsen told Australian Broadcasting Corp. in Melbourne on Monday.

“It’s so important that Australia and Demark and the EU — we share lessons, we compare experiences and we can push forward hopefully practical progress on this,” she added. It was about "protecting our children in this digital world that is increasingly complicated."

The Danish government last week proposed legislating an age limit of 15. But Dahl-Madsen said Denmark would consider letting parents exempt their children who were 13-14. Australia has no similar exemption.

Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PMLos Angeles County declares state of emergency over immigration raidsOct 14, 9:51 PMABC News Live24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Government shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposalOct 16, 3:20 PM

Government shutdown updates: Schumer says Thune 'has not come to me' with proposal

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff says

Israel-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas membersOct 16, 6:35 PM

Israel-Gaza live updates: Trump clarifies threat to 'kill' Hamas members

Los Angeles County declares state of emergency over immigration raidsOct 14, 9:51 PM

Los Angeles County declares state of emergency over immigration raids

ABC News Live24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events