On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Australia’s decision to prohibit children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, calling it a model that India and other countries around the world can draw lessons from.
Speaking at the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne, Modi stated that Australia’s initiatives to regulate social media and safeguard young users were establishing a significant benchmark. He praised the ongoing reforms in information technology and social media laws, as well as the efforts to safeguard society, describing them as deeply inspiring for the global community. He added that these initiatives offer valuable learning and important lessons, while speaking to the assembled leaders, including his counterpart Anthony Albanese.
Modi made his remarks during a visit in which India and Australia concluded several significant agreements related to civil nuclear energy, maritime security, and critical minerals.The Prime Minister held wide-ranging talks with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, a day after arriving in Australia from Indonesia during the second leg of his three-nation tour.A key outcome was a civil nuclear energy pact that will facilitate the commercial supply of Australian uranium for India's nuclear power programme.
Australia’s under-16 social media ban
Modi was referring to Australia’s landmark social media law that prohibits children under 16 from holding accounts on several major platforms.
The law, which took effect in December 2025, makes Australia the first nation globally to introduce this kind of nationwide restriction. The platforms subject to the legislation include TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.
Under the regulations, social media platforms must take "reasonable steps" to stop underage users from setting up or keeping accounts. The Australian government has advised that platforms employ several techniques to confirm users’ ages and ensure they follow the rules.The legislation has attracted worldwide attention as authorities confront worries about how social media affects children’s mental health, safety, and overall online wellbeing.
More countries consider restrictions
Australia is not alone in exploring tighter controls on children's access to social media.
The United Kingdom has joined the discussion as well, with caretaker Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently unveiling plans to prohibit children under 16 from using major social media platforms and to impose new limits on gaming and livestreaming services. A number of other nations have already implemented or suggested age-related restrictions. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have advanced with such measures, while France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are weighing comparable policies.
