A new digital media dawn has broken in Australia, one that blocks millions of youngsters from accessing their favorite social apps.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor government last year proposed groundbreaking laws that would block under-16s from accessing TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and other services, citing research that shows overexposure to social media can accelerate mental health problems for young people.

Those rules passed through parliament in November 2024, with bipartisan support, and came into effect this Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Australia is the first country to embark on this grand, social experiment. No doubt other countries are watching closely.

The music industry has been watching closely, too.

Kids and tweens are, so often, the no

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