Sydney: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia's implementation of a world-first social media ban for children under 16 represents a significant social and cultural change, declaring "enough is enough."

According to Philippines News Agency, the ban, which took effect at midnight local time, mandates that social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat block children under 16 or face fines up to 49.5 million Australian dollars or USD33 million. Albanese expressed pride in this initiative, stating that it symbolizes a transformative moment for Australia on a global stage.

Despite the government's intentions, many Australians have expressed frustration over the ban's implementation. Hundreds of thousands of Australian teens are already active on social media, with significant numbers reported on platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. The eSafety commissioner has identified a list of restricted platforms, though some messaging services and tools remain unaffected by the ban.

The penalties for non-compliance target the platforms rather than children or their parents. The eSafety commissioner has committed to monitoring and enforcing the law through its regulatory powers under the Online Safety Act, although there are existing concerns about the ban's effectiveness.

Many youths have reportedly found ways to circumvent the ban using age assurance system errors and virtual private networks (VPNs). The government acknowledged that the ban may not be perfect or immediate, and some parents have shared their frustrations with the ban's effectiveness. Instances of teens bypassing age verification systems and using facial scanning technology to maintain access to social media have been reported.

Professor Lisa Given noted that the facial scanning technology in use has an error margin of one to three years, allowing under-16s to potentially appear older and maintain social media accounts. Additionally, teens can exploit other methods, such as VPNs and fake IDs, to bypass restrictions.