In just six days, Australian parents will receive an early Christmas present of a different kind. From December 10, 2025, children under the age of 16 will be legally barred from accessing social media platforms under new world-leading legislation.
A Law, Not a Silver Bullet
Communications Minister Anika Wells addressed the National Press Club, outlining the intent behind the landmark age restriction. She acknowledged the law is a significant step towards shielding young people during a vulnerable developmental period from predatory algorithms, but conceded it is not a complete solution.
The Minister described the constant emergence of new platforms as a game of "whack-a-mole," where restricting one service simply sees another pop up to take its place. The government will impose massive fines on platforms that fail to enforce the ban, yet keeping pace with digital innovation remains a formidable hurdle.
Critically, the law alone will not instantly erase the online harm currently experienced by an estimated seven out of 10 Australian children. Nor will it magically transform a generation of smartphone users into carefree cyclists overnight.
The Hypocrisy Hurdle
As many adults will recall from their own youth, rules are often met with ingenuity. Just as previous generations found ways to procure restricted goods, today's tech-savvy children will inevitably seek new platforms and methods to circumvent the ban.
More importantly, children will quickly spot parental hypocrisy. A parent demanding their child get off their device while being glued to their own smartphone undermines the message entirely. This dynamic mirrors past lectures on the harms of alcohol from a parent holding a freshly poured glass.
The new law does, however, provide parents with a powerful and clear-cut argument: "It's against the law." This external authority can empower families in setting digital boundaries.
The Real Work Begins at Home
For the ban to achieve its full potential, a fundamental behavioural shift is required—not just from children, but from adults. Parents must confront their own phone addiction and demonstrate there is a world beyond the tiny screen.
The author points to the Kinokuniya bookstore in Kuala Lumpur as an inspiring example. There, children sit engrossed in physical books, a quiet testament to focused engagement. Smartphones only appear at the checkout to process a payment before being swiftly pocketed.
This is not to suggest Malaysian youth are immune to social media's pitfalls—Malaysia is among several nations considering similar age restrictions—but it highlights the power of environment and modelled behaviour.
Changing legislation is one step. The far greater challenge is changing adult habits around smartphones and social media. The success of Australia's social media age ban may ultimately depend less on government enforcement and more on parents having the courage to put their own devices down and lead by example.
