Australia’s new social media laws impose restrictions that prevent children under 16 from using social media platforms. The measure aims to reduce minors’ exposure to online harms, but reactions are mixed domestically and internationally, reflecting broader disagreements about child online safety approaches. Multiple outlets report that regulators and government officials are in a public dispute over how the framework is being applied and enforced. While the policy is described as “world-first,” reporting highlights that enforcement outcomes are still limited, with no social media platform reportedly fined at this stage. The coverage also points to differing views on whether the rules are appropriately targeted, practical for platforms to implement, and effective in achieving child protection goals. Overall, outlets describe a system that is now operational but whose results and compliance progress remain under scrutiny, with attention on whether regulators’ enforcement actions will intensify and how platforms respond to the age-based restrictions.