10 Dec 2025

Day one of Australia's social media ban for under-16s

From Nights, 8:10 pm on 10 December 2025

A big day for our friends across the Tasman with the first day of their social media ban for under 16-year-olds.

The move is a world -first push to protect children from phone addiction and online harms.

From now on, a group of social media platforms will face penalties of up to $50 million if they do not take "reasonable steps" to prevent children and teenagers aged under 16 from holding a social media account.

So how has day one of the ban gone, and what's been the reaction among Australians?

Leo Puglisi is chief anchor and managing director at 6 News Australia and he joins Emile Donovan.

Millions of Australians aged under 16 are now banned from having social media accounts.   (ABC News: Maren Preuss)

Millions of Australians aged under 16 are now banned from having social media accounts. Photo: ABC News: Maren Preuss