At a media briefing, Prime Minister Albanese confirmed that the proposed law would prohibit children under the age of sixteen from accessing social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat even with parental consent.

The government’s plan will hold technology companies accountable for enforcing the age restrictions, with strict verification measures expected to be included in the legislation.

“This is about protecting the mental health and wellbeing of our young people,” Albanese said. “We’ve seen the impact of social media on anxiety, bullying, and self esteem, and it’s time for stronger action.”

The draft legislation is expected to be introduced in Parliament before the end of the year, with the ban slated to take effect twelve months after the law is passed.

Tech industry groups and privacy advocates have called for detailed consultation to ensure the measures are effective without compromising user data security.

The move follows growing international debate about the effects of social media on youth, with other nations closely watching Australia’s legislative progress.

The announcement comes ahead of a high-level meeting scheduled for Friday between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders are expected to finalize the agreement and publicly outline its terms.

“This is a done deal in principle,” Trump told reporters Monday. “We’re just making sure the final details are right, especially when it comes to data security and American oversight.”

A Deal Amid Escalating U.S.–China Tensions

The framework deal follows months of back and forth negotiations amid broader U.S.–China tensions over technology, trade, and national security. Washington has long expressed concerns that TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, could be used to collect sensitive user data or influence public opinion in the U.S.

While details of the agreement remain under wraps, sources familiar with the negotiations say it includes:

• Enhanced safeguards for U.S. user data

• Potential American oversight or joint ownership of TikTok’s U.S. operations

• Greater algorithm transparency

• A phased timeline for compliance implementation

The deal also reportedly allows TikTok to continue operating under U.S. jurisdiction, possibly through a restructured American subsidiary with government-approved board members.

What Comes Next

TikTok, which boasts more than 150 million U.S. users, will continue operating without disruption through at least December 16. The extension provides room for final legal reviews, security certifications, and operational restructuring if required.

The White House has stated that no further extensions will be granted beyond the current deadline unless “substantial compliance” is demonstrated.

The move is part of TikTok’s broader strategy to address concerns regarding the potential for Chinese government access to the data of European users. To tackle these worries, TikTok launched “Project Clover” in 2023, a new data security initiative, with plans to invest 12 billion euros over the next decade in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic.

Several nations, as well as the European Parliament and European Commission, have banned TikTok from government-issued devices due to privacy concerns. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has threatened to prohibit the app unless its American operations are sold. TikTok has defended the bans, claiming they are based on misunderstandings, and insists that European user data is securely stored in dedicated European data centers across Norway, Ireland, and the U.S.

As part of Project Clover, TikTok’s first data center in Norway went live earlier this month after construction began in 2023. The company, which has over 175 million users in Europe, plans to announce additional data centers in the future.

Nordic countries, including Finland, are becoming increasingly popular for building data centers, with companies like Microsoft and Meta also investing in the region. The cold climate helps reduce energy costs, and there is ample access to inexpensive, emission-free electricity.

Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized Finland’s advantages in terms of carbon-free energy and strong connectivity, making it an ideal location to serve much of Europe. In Finland, more than 20 new data centers are planned, with an estimated total investment of 13 billion euros and a capacity of 1.3 gigawatts, according to Veijo Terho, chairman of the Finnish Data Centre Association.