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Australia enforces world-first social media ban for under-16s from December
From 10 December, social media platforms in Australia must block users under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts, with companies facing fines up to $49.5 million for non-compliance. The government's unprecedented policy aims to curb exposure to harmful content and excessive screen time, citing studies showing 96% of children aged 10-15 use social media, with 70% encountering misogyny, cyberbullying, or material promoting self-harm.
Scope and enforcement
The ban targets ten platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch. Criteria for inclusion hinge on enabling user interaction and content sharing. Exemptions include YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp, as they lack core social features. Gaming platforms like Roblox and Discord, though not yet banned, have preemptively tightened age checks.
Companies must deploy "reasonable steps," including age-assurance technologies like facial recognition or government ID verification. Self-reported ages or parental attestations will not suffice. Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, will begin closing teen accounts on 4 December, allowing appeals via ID or video selfie.
Criticism and challenges
Critics argue the ban may push teens to unregulated platforms or VPNs, while failing to address harm on gaming sites or AI chatbots. Former Facebook executive Stephen Scheeler noted fines pale beside Meta's revenue-$50 million earned in under two hours. Privacy advocates warn of data risks amid Australia's history of breaches, though the government insists "strong protections" mandate deletion of verification data post-use.
"It's going to look a bit untidy on the way through. Big reforms always do."
Communications Minister Annika Wells, November 2025
Global context
Australia's ban is the first of its kind, but other nations are tightening controls. The UK's July 2025 rules impose fines or jail time for failing to shield youth from harmful content. France proposed banning under-15s and imposing curfews for older teens, while Denmark, Norway, and Spain are drafting similar laws. A U.S. attempt in Utah to restrict under-18s without parental consent was blocked by courts.
Teen responses
Many Australian teens report creating accounts with fake ages or exploring VPNs to bypass restrictions. Influencers have shifted to joint parent-teen accounts, while platforms like Kick promise "constructive engagement" with authorities.
