Australia Bans Social Media for Kids Under 16: How the New Law Will Work
Australia has taken a historic step by introducing a complete ban on social media use for children under the age of 16. Starting from 10 December, major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, X, and Twitch will be required to block new accounts from under-16s and remove accounts belonging to minors. The move is being described as the first of its kind anywhere in the world, and it has sparked intense debate across governments, tech companies, parents, and online safety experts.
The Australian government says the goal is simple: reduce harmful online content, addictive algorithms, and the growing mental health risks linked to children’s social media use. A government-backed study revealed that 96% of kids aged 10–15 were using social platforms, and a shocking 70% reported seeing harmful content including violence, self-harm promotion, misogyny, and bullying. Many children also faced grooming attempts by adults, with one in seven reporting inappropriate or suspicious interactions.
Which Platforms Are Included?
Ten major platforms fall under the ban:
Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube, Twitch, Kick, and Reddit.
Interestingly, apps like YouTube Kids, WhatsApp, and Google Classroom are not included because they don’t meet the criteria for “social interaction platforms” under the new law. The government says this list may grow as more platforms evolve or if loopholes appear.
How Will Platforms Enforce the Ban?
Parents and children will not face penalties. Instead, tech companies are responsible and they could be fined up to $49.5 million (USD $32 million) for repeated violations. Platforms must use “reasonable steps” to confirm the age of every user. This may include:
- Government ID verification
- Face recognition technology
- AI-based age inference
- Voice analysis
Self-declared age (typing your date of birth) will not be accepted anymore. Meta has already announced that it will begin closing teen accounts, and mistakenly removed accounts can be restored using official age verification tools.
Will This Ban Actually Work?
Experts are unsure. Some argue that age-verification tools still misidentify young users and may block legitimate adults. Others worry that children will simply shift to platforms not included in the ban, such as gaming apps or private messaging services.
There are also concerns that strict verification may push kids toward VPNs, fake accounts, or underground apps, making online risks even harder to track. Tech companies argue the ban may isolate young people who rely on online communities for support or creativity.
Privacy and Safety Concerns
To verify age, platforms may need to collect sensitive data. Critics fear this could lead to more data breaches something Australia has experienced multiple times in recent years. The government, however, says strict data protection rules are built into the law, requiring platforms to delete verification data immediately after use.
Global Reaction: Will Other Countries Copy This?
Australia’s move has captured global attention. Countries like France, Denmark, Norway, and Spain are already considering similar rules. In the UK and US, attempts at stricter child-safety laws have been made, but none go as far as Australia’s full ban for under-16s.
Will Kids Try to Bypass the Ban?
Absolutely. Teens have already started:
- Making new accounts with fake ages
- Sharing bypass tips online
- Switching to joint parent-child accounts
- Planning to use VPNs
- Moving to smaller or lesser-known apps
The government insists platforms must detect and delete such accounts but experts say it may not be easy.
Australia’s reform is bold, controversial, and complex. Whether it becomes a global model or a cautionary tale will depend on how effectively tech companies implement the rules and whether children find ways around them.
