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Date: 24-apr-2025 | By: Nuztrend Team
Image Credit: Image by krakenimages.com on Freepik
As the digital world becomes increasingly central to childhood experiences, governments across the globe are stepping up with landmark laws to protect young users from online harm. On April 24, 2025, a wave of new legislation and regulations was unveiled in the UK, US, and Australia, focused on social media use and children's digital safety.
The UK has taken a bold step with its newly activated Online Safety Act. Ofcom, the national communications regulator, announced over 40 enforceable guidelines requiring platforms to protect children from harmful and inappropriate content. Key mandates include:
Failure to comply could result in fines up to £18 million or 10% of a company's global turnover, with potential criminal charges for executives in severe cases. A proposed “social media curfew” for under-16s is also under government review.
In the US, the legislative landscape is evolving rapidly. The proposed Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) seeks to prohibit users under 13 from accessing platforms and restrict recommendation algorithms for those under 17. The Federal Trade Commission is also tightening its COPPA Rule to restrict data monetization of children’s profiles.
States are taking varied approaches. Florida’s law banning children under 14 from social media is already facing legal hurdles. Meanwhile, Mississippi's new law demands platforms obtain verified parental consent and moderate youth-exposed content.
Australia has passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, effectively barring anyone under 16 from creating social media accounts. The law, which goes into effect in December 2025, imposes fines of up to AUD $50 million for violations, and does not allow parental waivers.
Social media giants like Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat now face a complicated web of regulations. Compliance will require major shifts in verification systems, algorithm designs, and content moderation practices. The global trend is clear: protecting children online is no longer optional—it’s legally mandatory.
As these new laws come into force, 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point in how technology companies manage the digital experiences of their youngest users.
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