Australia became the first nation to introduce social media restrictions for young people on 10 December 2025, a policy now being adopted internationally. This course examines the origins and intent of the legislation, including the social, political and public health drivers behind its design. Students will explore what the law seeks to prevent, the evidence linking social media use and harm in children and adults, and how effectiveness can be assessed in practice. The course also considers the policy design process, enforcement challenges, and unintended consequences. Through critical analysis, learners will evaluate whether such restrictions are likely to achieve their aims, and how Australia’s approach is shaping global regulatory trends. Key themes include legislative objectives, evidence-based policy, implementation, impact assessment, and comparative international responses.
Face to face
- History of Australia’s 2025 social media restrictions
- Policy objectives and intended outcomes
- Legislative design and regulatory framework
- Evidence base on social media harms
- Effectiveness and impact evaluation
- Enforcement and implementation challenges
- International comparisons and policy diffusion
- Social impact on children and adults
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Explain the origins and purpose of Australia’s social media restrictions
- Analyse evidence relating to social media impacts on children and adults
- Evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions and legislation
- Assess regulatory design, implementation, and enforcement challenges
- Discuss broader social and behavioural impacts of social media use
- Compare Australia’s approach with international policy responses
