Australia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s by December 2025

Ban Targets Platforms With User Interaction Features

Australia is moving forward with a sweeping new law that will bar children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. The legislation, set to come into effect on 10 December 2025, will apply to platforms that enable users to post content and interact socially — including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter).

This move, announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is being touted as a world-first in scope and impact. The legislation aims to delay social media use among teens during a critical phase of emotional and cognitive development, granting them more time to build real-world connections and digital resilience.

No Exceptions, Even With Parental Approval

The new age restriction applies universally, with no loopholes for parental consent. Social media companies will carry the burden of proof, and must demonstrate that they have taken meaningful steps to prevent underage users from signing up or remaining on their platforms.

The law outlines severe penalties: platforms that fail to meet these obligations could face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million. Enforcement will fall under the jurisdiction of the eSafety Commissioner, who will also define what constitutes “reasonable steps” to block underage users.

Enforcement Hinges on Age Verification Tech

Although the legislation doesn’t prescribe a specific method for verifying users’ ages, the government has laid out potential options informed by trials currently underway. These could include facial age estimation, photo ID matching, or third-party confirmation via banks or mobile providers. Platforms may also rely on behavioural patterns or AI to infer user age.

Importantly, ID alone cannot be the sole method — a move designed to preserve user privacy while still holding platforms accountable.

Some Platforms Will Be Exempt

Not all online services fall under this ban. Apps and sites whose primary functions involve messaging, gaming, professional networking, health or education will be exempt. This means that services like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Roblox, Coursera and some versions of YouTube Kids could potentially be spared — pending assessment by the eSafety Commissioner.

The determining factor is whether the platform’s core purpose is to facilitate social interaction and content posting between multiple users. If so, and if not exempt under these new guidelines, they must comply with the age restrictions.

Industry Resistance and Challenges Ahead

Despite bipartisan political support, the policy faces challenges in practical implementation. Critics have highlighted the difficulty of effective age verification and the high likelihood of circumvention through methods like VPNs. Similar laws in the UK have already seen a spike in VPN use among minors.

Even so, the Australian government insists that the risks posed by unrestricted social media access — including exposure to harmful algorithms, online abuse, and addictive content — justify decisive action. Albanese compared the ban to existing legal restrictions on alcohol and cigarettes, acknowledging potential workarounds while emphasising the law’s symbolic and preventative value.

A Global Test Case for Regulation

Australia’s aggressive stance on digital safety is being closely watched. If successful, the under-16 social media ban may set a new benchmark for global tech regulation — placing child welfare over platform growth and reshaping how young people interact online.

Read the Australian government’s statement here.

Watch a video here:

@news.com.au

PM Anthony Albanese has confirmed Aussies under 16 will not be able to use social media when this bill comes into affect. #australia #auspol #socialmedia #politics #australia🇦🇺

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