Parents, educators, and legislators around the world are considering how to rein in social media—especially for kids under 16. Many are looking Down Under for guidance. |
Last December, Australia passed a groundbreaking new law that requires 10 social media platforms—Facebook, Kick, Reddit, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and YouTube—to take responsibility for verifying and enforcing an age minimum. |
Half a year on, pessimists labeled the policy a flop. But for TIME’s Weekend essay, some of social media’s most well-known skeptics say there is actually reason for optimism. |
“The signs of success are there, and one thing is certain,” write Ravi Iyer, Jonathan Haidt, and Zach Rausch. “Australia did the world a huge favor by going first.” |
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WEEKEND ESSAY |
What the world should learn from Australia’s social media law |
By Ravi Iyer, Jonathan Haidt, and Zach Rausch |
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Photo-Illustration by TIME (Maskot/Getty Images) |
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Australia’s new social media law took effect on Dec. 10, 2025, raising the age to open or maintain social media accounts to 16. It was a global first. The law called for the biggest social media platforms to do more than just ask for a birthdate. Now, they would be legally required to take responsibility for verifying and enforcing an age minimum. |
Half a year on, the world is watching closely. Are the restrictions working? |
Some critics and media outlets have prematurely concluded that the policy has failed. They point to early surveys showing that under-16 social media use has fallen only partially, and that most kids are still accessing social media. And they argue that age limits will never work, that these laws miss the real problem of harmful platform design, and that the countries considering following Australia—of which there are many—should reconsider. |
The truth is far more encouraging. There are several promising trends that other countries are now building upon, reflecting the importance of Australia’s pioneering policies. |
It started with a relatively smooth rollout. All 10 platforms took steps to verify users' ages and remove accounts of those under 16. Now, fewer kids in the land down under are using social media, and more than a dozen other countries, including Indonesia, Canada, Malaysia, the UAE, France, Spain, and the U.K., are beginning their own journeys to rein in social media. |
The world is, and should, follow Oz’s lead. |
Read the full essay here… |
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AI EXPLAINED |
These AI-powered cameras are helping police solve crimes |
Surveillance startup Gabriel uses artificial intelligence to scan license plates, sharing the information with Brazilian police to piece together crime scenes.
If that sounds familiar, it's because a similar company called Flock performing a similar function in the United States, selling directly to law enforcement agencies. Both companies have seen backlash due to privacy concerns. |
In the latest episode of AI, Explained by Humans, TIME’s Harry Booth explains how these surveillance systems can create more privacy problems. |
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Linked |
In this addictive word-association game, find the steps that will unite two seemingly unrelated words in just four moves. |
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