Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Set to Take Effect Next Week
Major platforms required to block under-16 accounts from December 10 despite legal challenge and age-verification hurdles
Australia is poised to enforce a landmark law banning children under the age of 16 from maintaining accounts on major social media platforms, beginning on December 10, 2025. Under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, companies such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick are required to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16 users from holding accounts or face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million.
In the lead-up to the ban, several platforms — including those operated by Meta — have already begun notifying users aged thirteen to fifteen that their accounts will be deactivated.
Some are urging those users to download their data ahead of the deadline.
The national regulator has described the ban as a world-first effort to safeguard children from mental-health and online-safety risks associated with social media use.
While the obligation to comply rests with the platforms, the law does not require companies to verify every user’s age.
Instead, they must demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps, without any mandatory accuracy threshold.
Rights groups warn that the ban may push young people into unregulated online spaces and have launched a High Court challenge on behalf of two fifteen-year-olds, arguing the measure restricts their ability to communicate publicly.
Supporters of the law, including Communications Minister Anika Wells, maintain it is essential to protect vulnerable young people from harmful content, cyberbullying and addictive platform features.
As the December deadline approaches, the country prepares for the practical and social effects of a policy that may reshape how Australian children experience the digital world.
In the lead-up to the ban, several platforms — including those operated by Meta — have already begun notifying users aged thirteen to fifteen that their accounts will be deactivated.
Some are urging those users to download their data ahead of the deadline.
The national regulator has described the ban as a world-first effort to safeguard children from mental-health and online-safety risks associated with social media use.
While the obligation to comply rests with the platforms, the law does not require companies to verify every user’s age.
Instead, they must demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps, without any mandatory accuracy threshold.
Rights groups warn that the ban may push young people into unregulated online spaces and have launched a High Court challenge on behalf of two fifteen-year-olds, arguing the measure restricts their ability to communicate publicly.
Supporters of the law, including Communications Minister Anika Wells, maintain it is essential to protect vulnerable young people from harmful content, cyberbullying and addictive platform features.
As the December deadline approaches, the country prepares for the practical and social effects of a policy that may reshape how Australian children experience the digital world.
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