Australia Enacts Social Media Age Ban Amid Enforcement Doubts

Australia has implemented a new law banning children under 14 from having social media accounts. The government says the measure, which took effect this week, will protect young people from online harm. Critics argue the ban will be difficult to enforce. They say tech-savvy teenagers can easily bypass age checks by using virtual private networks (VPNs) or submitting false information. Some child safety advocates also question the law's approach. They argue that outright bans prevent teaching responsible online behavior and may push youth toward less-regulated platforms. The government acknowledges enforcement challenges but insists the law creates necessary pressure on social media companies. It states that platforms must use "all reasonable efforts" to identify and remove underage users.