Australia Cracks Down: Under-16s Face Social Media Ban, AI Chatbots Also Targeted
Australia is moving hard on child safety online, and this time, it’s not just about banning kids from social media. The eSafety Commissioner has called out big tech companies, saying they’ve done little to stop child exploitation content from spreading.
New rules are now coming in — six fresh industry codes that will touch almost everything: app stores, porn sites, gaming platforms, AI chatbots, and even generative AI tools. Why? Because reports showed kids as young as 10 were spending hours with AI chatbots that ended up teaching them harmful things, even sexual acts. That was the red line.
This law is being described as the first of its kind in the world. It won’t just wait for problems to show up; companies will be forced to build safety checks into their AI before releasing it. Alongside that, Australia will officially ban under-16s from using social media starting March next year.
Any tech company that refuses to play by these rules will face fines of up to $49.5 million. Others could even get delisted from search engines if they ignore compliance.
The commissioner made it clear: too many harmful apps are free, easily accessible, and even advertised openly. Without stronger guardrails, children are the ones paying the price.
For families and young people already in crisis, helplines like Lifeline, Kids Helpline, and Samaritans are being highlighted as a source of urgent support.
