New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- Australia's barring of children under 16 from accessing social media is a giant leap forward for humankind in its effort to police tech companies. The new law, passed in Australian parliament last week with support from the opposition as well, trains a spotlight on the damage that social media does to society. Australia has done the world a service.

Technology companies are mandated to take "reasonable steps" to prevent under-age users from using social media services or risk being fined $32 million. The bill was backed by Australia's main opposition party, the Liberal Party.

It is 60 years since Donald Horne, an academic, called Australia "the lucky country", a phrase intended as an insult. Instead, on every visit,...