Home / Technology / Harry & Meghan Back Australia's Strict Social Media Ban
Harry & Meghan Back Australia's Strict Social Media Ban
11 Dec
Summary
- Australia enacted a world-first social media age limit for under 16s.
- Major platforms face hefty fines for non-compliance.
- The royal couple calls the ban a band-aid, urging deeper design changes.
Australia has become the first nation to implement a national social media age restriction, banning those under 16 from creating accounts on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Companies failing to comply face substantial penalties, up to $49.5 million.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, through their Archewell Foundation, publicly commended Australia's "bold, decisive action" in safeguarding children. They stated the ban "sends a strong signal that a child's mind is not a commodity to be exploited" and "buys young people valuable time back in their childhoods."
However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also cautioned that the ban is a "band-aid" solution, arguing it does not address the fundamental problems of "tech's broken design and exploitive business incentives." They highlighted their work with grieving parents affected by cyberbullying and online harm, advocating for technology that is "safe by default and design."
