Australia Bans Social Media for Kids Under 16: Implementation and Implications

Mon Nov 24 2025 16:08:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Starting December 10, Australia will become the first country to prohibit social media for children under 16, requiring platforms to prevent account creation and deactivate existing accounts for underage users.

Australia is set to implement a groundbreaking law that bans children under 16 from social media platforms beginning December 10. The law, supported by parents and aimed at mitigating the risks associated with online interactions, will require social media companies to take steps to enforce the ban. Key concerns include the effectiveness of age verification technologies, the potential for data misuse, and the question of how children may circumvent these restrictions. Critics warn that reducing social media access could lead to greater isolation among teens, while proponents argue it addresses significant safety concerns in digital spaces.

From December 10, social media companies in Australia will be mandated to prevent individuals under 16 from setting up accounts on their platforms and to deactivate existing underage accounts. This policy, touted as a world-first initiative, aims to reduce the exposure of children to harmful content and the pressures associated with social media use.

Australian officials emphasize the importance of shielding youths from online risks, citing that a study revealed 96% of children aged 10 to 15 engaged with social media, often encountering damaging content ranging from misogyny to promoting eating disorders.

The government has targeted popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube but is under pressure to extend the ban to online gaming, causing platforms like Roblox to implement age verification measures pre-emptively.

Enforcement of the ban will rest on social media companies, who face substantial fines of up to AUD $49.5 million for non-compliance. The government has outlined that these companies should utilize age assurance technologies without revealing specific methods. Suggestions for verification methods include using government IDs, biometric data, or inferring age through online behavior.

Concerns abound regarding the accuracy and fairness of such technologies, with experts suggesting that they may not reliably assess age, particularly among the demographic that needs it most. Critics argue that this legislation may not sufficiently safeguard children, as it does not cover dating apps or gaming platforms where risks could still exist.

Additionally, there are apprehensions related to the data privacy implications of requiring detailed information to verify ages. The Australian government assures that extensive protections for personal data will be implemented, stipulating that any data collected must solely serve the purpose of age verification and must be destroyed post-verification.

Despite the government's serious intentions behind the initiative, social media companies like Meta and Google have expressed skepticism regarding the practicality and efficacy of the ban. Some have suggested that the regulation might inadvertently isolate young users from needed social interactions.

Countries worldwide will be observing the outcomes of this unprecedented approach to banning social media usage by minors, as various nations adopt different strategies to protect children in digital spaces.