Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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December 10, 2025 Human rights
On Wednesday, Australia launched the world's first ban on social media use by children and adolescents under 16. The official goal of the ban is to protect young people from cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and harmful content that harms mental health.
While other countries are considering similar measures, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warns that age restrictions alone are not enough to keep children safe online.
"While we welcome the growing global commitment to protecting children in the digital environment, such bans pose new risks and can be counterproductive," the organization said in a statement.
For many children—especially isolated and marginalized ones—social media is a kind of "lifeline," facilitating communication, learning, and self-expression, the foundation believes. Furthermore, many will find ways to circumvent the ban, whether through VPNs or less-regulated platforms, making their protection even more difficult.
Child protection and human rights
"Age restrictions must be part of a broader strategy that protects children from harm, respects their right to privacy, and does not push them into unregulated, less safe digital spaces," UNICEF emphasized.
According to the foundation's representatives, legislative regulation should not replace online platforms' responsibility to invest in child safety. Age-restriction laws are no substitute for improved platform design and rigorous content moderation.
A call for joint action
UNICEF calls on governments, regulators and technology companies to work together with children and their families to create a safe and inclusive digital space that respects children's rights.
The United Nations Children's Fund recommends that countries help parents improve their digital literacy: "Today, they are being asked to do the impossible: control platforms they didn't create and algorithms they don't understand."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also commented on this matter: "We know how difficult it is for society to find a balance in protecting children online. When social media was launched, no one assessed their potential impact on human rights."
"It's important to monitor which methods work and which don't," added Volker Türk. "However, from a human rights perspective, the answer is clear: the interests of the child must be at the center of all decisions."
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