Australia has implemented a world-first ban prohibiting children under 16 from using social media, set to take full effect from December 10, 2025. This landmark policy requires social media companies to deactivate or remove underage accounts and face substantial fines for non-compliance, aiming to shield young users from online harms like cyberbullying and grooming.
The Australian government’s decision, driven by a study revealing that 96% of children aged 10-15 use social media and seven in ten encounter harmful content, mandates that platforms take “reasonable steps” to enforce the ban. Communications Minister Annika Wells has acknowledged the policy may appear “untidy” initially but emphasizes it responds to parental concerns about the pressures and risks associated with social media design features that encourage excessive screen time.
Ten major platforms are included in the ban: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and streaming services Kick and Twitch. Messaging apps like WhatsApp and educational tools such as Google Classroom are exempt, as they do not primarily facilitate social interaction. The government may expand this list, prompting some gaming platforms to preemptively introduce age checks to avoid inclusion.
Enforcement falls solely on social media companies, which face fines of up to $49.5 million for serious or repeated breaches. They must use age assurance technologies—such as government ID verification, facial recognition, or behavioral analysis—but cannot rely on self-declared ages or parental vouching. Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, has announced it will begin closing teen accounts from December 4, with affected users able to verify their age via ID or video selfie if mistakenly removed.
Social media firms have responded with mixed reactions; while Meta is complying, it warns of inconsistent protections across apps, and YouTube may legally challenge its inclusion. TikTok and Snap have opposed the ban but pledged implementation, and Kick, the only Australian company affected, has committed to constructive engagement. Critics, including experts, raise concerns about the accuracy of age estimation technologies, particularly for adolescents, and potential privacy violations from data collection.
Practical challenges abound, as experts like Rahat Masood of the University of New South Wales note that AI-based age guessing is least reliable for teens, and Faith Gordon of the Australian National University warns that driven youths might turn to unregulated online spaces, increasing exposure to exploitation. Despite these issues, a YouGov poll found 77% of Australians support the ban, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defending it as an “appropriate government response” to empower parents.
Internationally, Australia’s approach is unprecedented; other countries like the UK and EU have implemented age checks or parental consent requirements but not outright bans. France and Denmark are considering similar measures, while a US attempt in Utah was blocked. The global community is closely monitoring the ban’s outcomes, which could influence digital safety policies worldwide.
As implementation begins, teens are already seeking workarounds, such as using VPNs to mask locations or creating accounts with false ages. The government plans ongoing reviews to assess effectiveness and potential expansions, highlighting the broader societal struggle to balance child protection with digital freedoms. This experiment may reshape how nations address youth online safety in the evolving digital landscape.
