"I'm Still Here, Wait Until I Can Vote": Teenagers Mock Prime Minister on SNS Amid Ban

Some Teenagers Mock Government on Social Media
One Million Accounts Blocked in World's First Attempt
Government Announces Plans to Block Hundreds of Thousands More Accounts

As the Australian government became the first in the world to completely block social networking service (SNS) usage for children and adolescents under the age of 16, some teenagers accessed platforms like TikTok and mocked the government until their accounts were deactivated. On December 11, 2025 (local time), international media outlets including Reuters reported that the Australian government had implemented a complete ban on SNS use for those under 16, effective from midnight the previous day.

The Australian government has become the first in the world to completely block social networking service (SNS) usage for children and adolescents under the age of 16. Photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

However, even after the regulation took effect, some users who identified themselves as under 16 continued to leave mocking comments about the government on platforms like TikTok. On the TikTok account of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a comment read, "I'm still here. Wait until I can vote."

The Australian government had already announced that it would take time for SNS platforms to build systems to block users under 16. In an interview with Melbourne's FOX Radio, Prime Minister Albanese said, "Of course, it's not going to be smooth," adding, "We can't block over a million accounts in just one day, but the work is underway."

On the previous day alone, about 200,000 accounts were deactivated on TikTok, and several hundred thousand more are expected to be blocked in the coming days. Some teenagers expressed regret on TikTok, posting messages such as "I can't communicate with the world anymore" and "See you again when I turn 16." At a press conference, Prime Minister Albanese emphasized that "this regulation is an important reform that will have a global impact," and advised children and teenagers ahead of the school holidays to "start a new sport or instrument, or read a book you've put off for a long time."

The reason Australia took such a strong measure was the tragedy experienced by 14-year-old Ollie Hughes in January last year. Ollie, who had been an ordinary boy, developed body hatred after being exposed to SNS, suffered from an eating disorder and online bullying, and eventually ended his own life. His mother, Mia Bannister, who led the campaign for regulation, said, "If this law had been implemented just a year earlier, my son would have survived."

Meanwhile, Australia has recently seen VPN (Virtual Private Network) search volume reach its highest level in a decade. One free VPN provider reported that domestic usage increased by 65% the day before the ban took effect. Australia has introduced and implemented the world's first law to completely ban minors from using SNS, regardless of parental consent, starting from this day. If an Australian teenager under 16 creates an account on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok, the platform could face a fine of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 49.3 billion won).

Countries Rush to Follow with 'SNS Regulation' Domino Effect

Following Australia's regulatory announcement, Denmark, France, Spain, Greece, and Indonesia are also considering restrictions on social media use by teenagers. The state of Florida in the United States is also at the forefront. Since January 1, 2025, Florida has banned SNS account ownership for those under 14 and allows 14- and 15-year-olds to sign up only with parental consent.

Following Australia's regulatory announcement, Denmark, France, Spain, Greece, and Indonesia are also considering restrictions on social media use by teenagers. The photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

France is also pushing for strong regulations. President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly expressed his determination to implement strict rules, including banning SNS use for those under 15, and has introduced the concept of a "Digital Majority." However, due to conflicts with European Union (EU) law and technical issues, France has not yet reached the stage of a complete ban like Australia. Julie Inman Grant, Chair of the eSafety Commission, predicted, "Australia's measure will be the first domino in a global wave of Big Tech regulation."

The situation regarding SNS addiction among Korean teenagers is no less serious than in Australia. According to the Korea Information Society Development Institute in May 2024, the SNS usage rate among Generation Z (ages 9 to 24) reached 87.2% in 2023. Three out of ten check comments or 'likes' every day. On weekdays, their average usage time was 55 minutes, which is 83.3% higher than that of their parents' generation, Generation X (ages 39 to 54), who averaged 30 minutes.

Although lawmakers have prepared bills, progress remains slow. Last year, Assemblyman Yoon Gunyoung from the Democratic Party of Korea and Assemblyman Cho Jeonghun from the People Power Party proposed amendments to relevant laws, including provisions to refuse membership and limit usage time for those under 14. However, these bills have stalled in the National Assembly. For now, the most visible measure is the Ministry of Education's policy to restrict the use of smart devices in elementary, middle, and high schools, which will take effect from March next year.