Australia is on the cusp of implementing a groundbreaking digital policy: a comprehensive social media ban for children under the age of 16. With the start date set for 10 December, major tech platforms are scrambling to adjust their systems to comply with the new law or face staggering fines.
Which Platforms Are In The Crosshairs?
The Australian government has named a specific list of platforms that must deactivate accounts for users under 16 and prevent new sign-ups from that age group. The initial list includes some of the world's most popular apps: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick.
Meta's Threads is also covered, as it requires an Instagram account. Crucially, this is a dynamic list. The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has warned that if young users migrate to other services like Lemon8, those platforms could be added and expected to remove teen accounts.
How Will Age Verification Work And What Are The Penalties?
The core mechanism of the ban rests on age assurance, but the government has left it largely to individual platforms to determine their methods. The one clear rule is that requesting ID cannot be the sole option for verification.
Platforms are adopting varied approaches. Meta (Facebook, Instagram) is keeping its specific signals secret to prevent workarounds. Snapchat will use behavioural signals and listed birth dates, while TikTok promises a "multi-layered approach" using various technologies. YouTube will rely on the age linked to a user's Google account among other signals.
The penalty for non-compliance is severe. Platforms that fail to take "reasonable steps" to prevent under-16s from holding accounts risk fines of up to $49.5 million (approximately £26 million).
What Happens To Existing Accounts And Could The Ban Be Delayed?
For teens currently on these platforms, the process varies. On Facebook and Instagram, users will have the choice to download their data and put their account on hold until they turn 16, or delete it entirely. Snapchat and TikTok have outlined similar processes, with Snapchat estimating around 440,000 Australian users aged 13-15 will be affected.
Despite the imminent deadline, questions about a potential delay remain. A parliamentary committee recommended a six-month postponement until June 2026, but the governing Labor party has shown no sign of backing down. A separate high court challenge on grounds of freedom of political communication has been launched but is yet to be heard.
Authorities have tempered expectations for a flawless rollout on day one. eSafety Commissioner Inman Grant stated they will take a "graduated risk and outcomes-based approach to compliance," focusing initially on platforms with the highest proportion of underage users.
Platforms exempt from the ban include Roblox, Pinterest, YouTube Kids, Discord, WhatsApp, and educational or professional tools like Google Classroom, GitHub, and LinkedIn. The eSafety commissioner has indicated that smaller platforms like Bluesky are considered "very low risk" due to their minimal Australian user base.
