Australia's "world-first" social media ban came into effect on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of under-16s have been barred from having accounts on certain social media platforms, and interest in the best VPNs has spiked.

10 social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, and X, are required to take "reasonable steps" to stop children from having accounts on their apps.

Supporters welcome the measures taken to protect children from experiencing harmful content and the dangers associated with social media use. Critics argue the law creates cybersecurity risks and negatively impacts online privacy – most notably due to the introduction of age verification checks.

Both sides make passionate arguments – here, we'll examine what cases are being made.

Protecting c

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