Australia and Vietnam move to tighten social‑media rules for users under 16

The Australian government is reviewing new measures that would raise platform responsibility for protecting minors online. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that legislation is being drafted to give regulators stronger tools, increase fines of up to 49.5 million AUD, and enforce the country’s December 2026 rule that bans anyone under 16 from holding a social‑media account on services such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

In Vietnam, a public forum and online commentary have sparked a debate over whether to impose a similar ban on under‑16 users. Participants argue for a mix of education, parental modelling and tighter legal obligations on tech firms, while some warn a total ban could isolate children from beneficial digital resources. The discussion highlights the need for coordinated guidance between families, schools and regulators to promote safe digital habits.

Both countries are examining how to balance children’s online safety with access to digital benefits, reflecting a broader regional reassessment of social‑media governance for minors.