Australia enforces landmark ban on social media use for under-16s amid global scrutiny

On 10 December 2025, Australia became the first country to implement a national legal age restriction on social media, barring users under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms.

The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 requires affected platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent account access for under-16s. Failure to comply may result in civil penalties of up to A$49.5 million (US$33 million). Children and parents, however, face no penalties.

The law applies to ten major platforms identified by the eSafety Commissioner, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Threads, Twitch, X (formerly Twitter), and Kick.

To qualify as an age-restricted platform, services must:

1. Enable online social interaction between users;

2. Allow linking or interaction between users;

3. Allow users to post their own content.

Stand-alone messaging apps and gaming services are generally excluded, unless they include significant social media-style features.

Although most platforms pledged compliance before the law took effect, X had not publicly outlined its enforcement plan, prompting ongoing regulatory discussions. Meanwhile, Bluesky—a smaller alternative—voluntarily adopted the restriction, despite being labelled “low risk” due to its small Australian user base.

The law prohibits platforms from demanding government-issued ID. Instead, they must use privacy-conscious age assurance technologies such as live video selfies, behavioural inference, and document-based verification.

One such system, k-ID, used by Snapchat, reported conducting hundreds of thousands of age checks ahead of the deadline. However, early reports suggest the system is imperfect. According to Guardian Australia, some under-16s were falsely verified as 18, while others were properly flagged and excluded—resulting in social disconnection from peers who evaded checks.

Kieran Donovan, Chief Executive of k-ID, acknowledged that while verification systems are improving, no method is yet foolproof.

The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, stressed the law aims for progress, not perfection. Platforms were issued compliance notices with questions on account removals, circumvention strategies, and appeals processes. This data will be made public.

The Commissioner’s office also contacted 15 additional platforms not initially included, such as Yope and Lemon8, which saw spikes in popularity as children searched for workarounds.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the law’s intent, comparing it to Australia’s legal drinking age. “The fact that teenagers occasionally find a way to have a drink doesn’t diminish the value of having a clear national standard,” he said.

Public support for the measure has remained strong, with 77% of Australians backing the age limit. However, some parents expressed frustration, reporting inconsistencies in enforcement. One parent told The Guardian their daughter was flagged as underage while friends bypassed checks, leaving her socially isolated. Another said they taught their child to use VPNs and bypass TikTok's estimation tools.

Platforms themselves expressed mixed responses. Snapchat warned the restriction could drive teens to less safe, less private messaging apps. Meta stated it was complying, but called for a more standardised and privacy-preserving global approach to age restrictions.

Beyond short-term compliance, the law will undergo independent academic review, coordinated by an advisory group appointed by eSafety and Stanford University’s Social Media Lab. Researchers will track behavioural, mental health, and educational impacts over time.

“We’re looking at whether kids are sleeping more, socialising differently, reading books, or needing less medication,” said Inman Grant. Unintended outcomes, such as use of unregulated platforms or increased use of VPNs, will also be monitored.

The law stems from findings that 96% of Australian children aged 10 to 15 were using social media, often exposed to addictive design elements and harmful content. These risks were central to the government’s case for legislative action.

To support implementation, eSafety released a regulatory guide, a platform assessment tool, and a Statement of Commitment to Children’s Rights, aligning the rollout with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The policy is also part of a broader framework that includes:

• Basic Online Safety Expectations, setting standards for platform safety features;

• Safety by Design, encouraging integration of child safety into platform development;

• New industry codes restricting children’s access to age-inappropriate content, including pornography, to take effect between December 2025 and 2026.

International governments are watching closely. Officials in Denmark, Malaysia, Norway, and the European Union have expressed interest in adopting similar age-based protections. A UK government spokesperson told Reuters they are “closely monitoring Australia’s approach.”

Inman Grant described the law as the “first domino” in a global movement to better protect children online.

“This is the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies,” Prime Minister Albanese declared. “They are asserting the right of kids to be kids and for parents to have greater peace of mind.”