Although Canberra is still working on mechanisms to implement its age limit on social media access, other governments in the region and beyond are already looking at following in Australia's footsteps. (Illustration by Hiroko Aida)

Australia prepares to kick kids off social media despite doubts

Review of technologies to restrict access by children under 16 to be completed soon

SOPHIE MAK and SHAUN TURTON

June 6, 2025 06:00 JST

SYDNEY -- Jackson, a 14-year-old high school student in Sydney, usually spends around three hours a day scrolling through his phone's TikTok and Instagram feeds.

That is the typical level of usage these days among Australians aged 18 and under according to research by online safety software company Qustodio. But the average could soon drop dramatically.