Australia’s landmark law banning social media access for under-16s came into force on December 10, 2025, yet reports show many teenagers are already evading the restrictions using forged birth dates, parents’ credentials or migrating to alternative apps.

The legislation — passed in late 2024 under the eSafety Commissioner regime — requires major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and others to disable accounts belonging to under-16s and block the creation of new ones.

Companies face civil fines up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.

Yet despite these requirements, some under-16s report successfully bypassing age verification.

According to interviews, a 13-year-old described uploading a parent’s selfie for facial-verification and still maintaining access.

Others are turning to smaller platforms — such as Yope, Lemon8 and Coverstar — which are not yet subject to the ban.

Developers and supporters of the law warn this “whack-a-mole” dynamic could undermine enforcement.

The commissioners implementing the law acknowledge early “gaps in enforcement,” but say these will be closed over time as compliance improves.

Platforms have begun removal efforts: the parent company of Facebook and Instagram started deactivating accounts from as early as December 4.

The shift has led to a rapid reshaping of social media habits among Australia’s youth.

Some teens expressed frustration or dismay at losing long-standing accounts.

Others have adapted by moving to new apps or using parental credentials — prompting concerns that the law might not eliminate underage social media use but instead push it into harder-to-monitor spaces.

For the government and safety regulators, the coming weeks will serve as a critical test of whether the age-restriction policy can realistically restrict under-16s’ social media presence — or whether the ban simply accelerates migration to lesser-known digital platforms beyond regulators’ reach.