What is the Australian social media ‘ban' for under 16s and should Ireland have one too?

A social media “ban” for under-16s will be watched closely when it comes into effect in Australia next week, but there are concerns it is merely a solution “that gives comfort to adults” – and one that could come with plenty of holes if replicated here. From December 10, a new law will prohibit Australian children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Reddit, Twitch and Threads. But some of the platforms that are most popular with children, including gaming platform Roblox and WhatsApp, are not on the list.