Australia has implemented one of the world’s most sweeping online safety laws: a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under the age of 16. The law officially took effect on Wednesday, marking a major shift in how governments regulate youth access to digital platforms.
This explainer breaks down everything you need to know — what the ban is, how it works, why it was introduced, and how tech companies and young users are responding.
What Is the New Rule?
Australia’s new law prohibits anyone under 16 from creating or using accounts on major social media platforms, including:
- Threads
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Twitch
- Kick
If a user is under 16, their accounts must be blocked, deactivated, or removed by the platform.
Underage users are not punished — instead, tech companies carry the legal responsibility to enforce the ban.
Why Did Australia Introduce the Ban?
The government says the law was passed to address:
- Rising youth mental-health concerns — including self-harm and suicide
- Cyberbullying and online grooming
- Addictive algorithms and excessive screen time
- Deepfake abuse and harmful content exposure
Campaigns like “Let Them Be Kids” and strong public support — nearly 77% in favor — pushed the government to act.
How Will Platforms Enforce the Ban?
Platforms must take “reasonable steps” to verify age. Methods include:
- Uploading identity documents
- Biometric age checks (like live selfie scanning)
- AI-based behavior analysis
- Birthdate cross-checks
Each company has announced its own compliance strategy:
- Meta (Facebook/Instagram/Threads): Removing under-16 accounts, allowing reactivation at 16
- TikTok: Deactivating all under-16 accounts using age-verification tech
- Snapchat: Suspending under-16 accounts for three years
- YouTube: Auto-signing out and hiding channels for under-16s
- Reddit: Using privacy-preserving age prediction models
- X: Verifying age through multiple data points, deleting verification data within 31 days
Companies face fines up to A$49.5 million for violations.
Which Platforms Not Affected?
Yes. Some services are exempt, including:
- Messenger
- Discord
- Roblox
- Steam
- Google Classroom
- YouTube Kids
These are considered communication tools or educational platforms—not “social media” under the law’s definition.
How Are Young Users Responding?
- Many support the ban, saying it improves safety.
- Others — especially from marginalized or remote communities — worry about losing access to supportive online spaces.
- Youth are already shifting to alternative platforms like Lemon8 and Yope.
- Some may attempt to bypass restrictions using VPNs, though the government believes tech companies can limit this.
Is Australia Alone?
Australia is the first country to introduce a nationwide under-16 blanket social media ban, but others are watching closely. Countries such as New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Denmark, France, Germany, and several U.S. states are considering similar restrictions.
Why This Matters
Australia’s move may set the blueprint for global youth online safety laws. Supporters say the ban gives children back their childhood; critics warn that it may restrict access to community, information, and expression. Either way, this is a turning point in the global debate on how to protect young people online.