Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook described Australia's regulatory approach to social media as a world-leading example of online safety policy during a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Apple's headquarters in California, Albanese said in televised remarks on Sunday. Cook emphasized the significance of Australia's recent reforms, particularly its framework allowing users to control the content they encounter in their feeds, which the prime minister characterized as pioneering.

Australia has positioned itself at the forefront of digital governance, having implemented a ban on social media access for users under 16 in December, a move later echoed by the European Commission's proposal to restrict platforms for children under 13. The country's eSafety Commissioner has been tasked with enforcing these measures, including requirements for platforms to verify user ages and filter harmful content.

During the discussion, Cook highlighted Apple's ongoing development of parental control tools designed to help families manage digital experiences, stating they were "grateful to share" these innovations with Albanese. The meeting occurred amid broader industry debates about artificial intelligence development timelines and safety protocols, with Cook recently transitioning from his role as Apple's CEO after 15 years in the position.

The conversation reflects growing international attention on how technology companies address child safety concerns while maintaining platform accessibility, with Australia's regulatory experiments drawing both admiration and scrutiny from global policymakers.