Australia Becomes First Country to Ban Social Media for Under-16s

Australia Becomes First Country to Ban Social Media for Under-16s

Australia has enacted a landmark law making it the first country in the world to block all children under 16 from having social media accounts. Beginning this week, millions of young users will be locked out as platforms move to comply with strict new age-verification requirements.

Under the legislation, social media companies must implement technology capable of identifying under-16 users, deactivate their accounts, and prevent new ones from being created. Platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” face penalties of up to AUD $49.5 million. While some families may attempt to bypass the restrictions, the law does not impose any fines on children or parents.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the system may not be flawless but stressed its necessity to safeguard young people from harmful content, predators, and online bullying.

How Major Platforms Will Comply
• Meta (Instagram, Facebook, Threads): All accounts belonging to users under 16 are being removed from December 4. They may be reactivated once the user turns 16.
• YouTube: Under-16 users will be signed out automatically on December 10. Their channels and uploads will be hidden but preserved. They can still watch videos without signing in.
• TikTok: All under-16 accounts will be deactivated on December 10, with posts hidden. Age-verification technology will determine eligibility, and parents are encouraged to report false ages.
• Snapchat: Accounts belonging to users under 16 will be suspended for three years or until the user reaches 16.
• Reddit: Under-16 accounts will be suspended, and no new ones will be allowed.
• Twitch: Will block new under-16 sign-ups starting December 10 and deactivate existing accounts on January 9.
• Kick: Has not disclosed its compliance plan.
• X (formerly Twitter): Has not revealed its approach and has criticized the law as “anti–free speech.”

Australia’s crackdown marks one of the most aggressive global attempts yet to regulate minors’ use of social media and reshape the digital landscape for young users.