Australia is preparing to roll out one of the world’s strictest online safety laws as a nationwide ban on social media access for children under 16 comes into effect on December 10.
Major tech companies—including Meta—have already begun complying by deleting or disabling accounts belonging to underage users ahead of the enforcement date.
The restrictions stem from the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, passed by the Australian Parliament last year, marking a major shift in the country’s efforts to protect children from online risks.
Law Passed After Intense Pushback From Tech Platforms
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 faced strong criticism from global social media companies when it was introduced. Despite the initial resistance, platforms have now agreed to implement the age-based restrictions.
Meta and other social media giants have begun removing accounts belonging to users under the age of 16, impacting hundreds of thousands of teenagers across Australia.
Platforms Begin Deleting and Freezing Underage Accounts
Ahead of the ban taking effect, under-16 users have been encouraged to download their photos, contacts, and data. Their accounts will be deleted unless they choose to freeze them until they turn 16, according to reports.
Hundreds of Thousands of Teens Affected
As per data from eSafety, the scale of underage social media use in Australia is substantial:
- 440,000 users aged 13–15 are active on Snapchat
- 350,000 in the same age group use Instagram
- 150,000 are active on Facebook
Officials note that more than 96% of Australian teenagers under 16 are on social media.
Australia Becomes One of the First Countries to Implement Such a Ban
The move—widely criticised by teens—is set to make Australia one of the first countries in the world to impose a nationwide minimum age of 16 for social media use.
Authorities argue the ban is aimed at reducing exposure to harmful content and addressing long-standing concerns about the digital environment young people face.
Why Is Australia Imposing the Ban?
Government officials and safety regulators have repeatedly warned that social media contributes to:
- Online bullying and harassment
- Increased anxiety, peer pressure, and mental health issues
- Exposure to predators and unsafe online interactions
The Australian government says the law is necessary to safeguard children and reduce long-term psychological harm.
Which Platforms Are Banned?
Platforms included under the ban:
- Threads
- TikTok
- YouTube
- X
- Snapchat
- Kick
- Twitch
Regulators say more platforms may be added later.
Platforms not included in the ban
Services deemed to be primarily for messaging or gaming are exempt, including:
- Discord
- Messenger
- Roblox
- YouTube Kids
Mandatory Age Verification for All Users
Social media companies will now be required to verify users’ ages using advanced age estimation and verification technologies, rather than relying solely on self-reported age.
Underage users will still be able to view publicly available online content, but they will not be allowed to hold accounts.
Hefty Penalties for Non-Compliance
Companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” under the new law may face fines of up to $32.8 million (49.5 million Australian dollars).
