Is your product suitable for teenagers?

The Australian parliament answered a big fat "no" to this question when it comes to social media, banning the use of these apps for anyone under 16.

The ban appears to be a turning point in app regulations and something product makers will want to keep an eye on.

Social media deemed unfit for <16

The regulation, gathering 34-19 votes at the Australian Senate, impacts all social media applications in Australia.

Although not technically passed yet (the Australian House of Representatives must also sign off on it, but it is considered a formality), the law will:

1. Require social media platforms to create features that prevent underage users from signing up. This is an important change as, until now, the responsibility was on the parents to ensure their children weren't signing up.

2. Fine companies that fail to comply, up to $33 million.

3. Require companies to have everything in place within a year.

Other countries are paying attention

The implication of this law is wider than Australia.

Countries such as the UK and the US, too, are eyeing to regulate underage social media use. U.K. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC such a regulation could be "on the table".

For product makers, this is a stark reminder that a key user demographic could be taken away at any time by regulation. Given that 98% of 12-17-year-olds in the UK use social media, per Ofcom, it's no surprise Meta and Google are fighting tooth and nail to delay the application of this law.