The Australian government has introduced a new law that will prohibit users under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts, effective December 10, 2025. Social media companies and technology companies are currently being tasked with age verification processes, and failure to eliminate accounts of underage users will result in stringent fines.
Compliance Guidance Issue
The eSafety Commission has issued comprehensive guidelines, including a self-assessment tool, to help companies determine if their services fall within the scope of the new regulations. Platforms used primarily for educational, health, professional networking, or online gaming purposes may be exempt from the ban. However, major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are directly affected and need to prepare for immediate compliance.
Requirements for Social Media Platforms
Under the new law, social media platforms must:
- Identify and cancel accounts held by users younger than 16
- Inform affected users when their accounts have been removed
- Attempt to block the re-registration of underage users, including those using VPNs or bypass detection methods.
- Offer appeals for users aged 16+ who have been wrongly removed
- Implement several age verification methods, without relying exclusively on government ID
- Do not store age confirmation information while recording verification procedures.
Platforms could also utilize existing account data, such as creation dates, to facilitate compliance. Each company will be responsible for the design and maintenance of its own age assurance system.
Limited Access and Enforcement Challenges
Despite the ban, users under 16 will still be able to access content on social media in public, without having to create an account. Shared family devices can also make enforcement harder, as they provide minors with indirect access to prohibited platforms. These loopholes highlight the practical challenges of enforcing age restrictions across various digital platforms.
Role of Caregivers and Resources
The new framework invites caregivers to take a more active role in tracking and guiding children’s digital activities. The eSafety Commission will publish additional educational resources and materials to help families understand the new regulations and encourage safer Internet use among young users.
Industry Response and Implementation
Social media platforms are expected to begin to review account data immediately to identify underage users. The government has not prescribed a specific technological solution, which leaves room for variation in compliance strategies across different platforms. Industry leaders anticipate challenges in balancing user privacy with effective age verification processes.
Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasised the law will be enforced as planned and warned platforms that there would be ‘no excuse for non-compliance.’ This firm stance is a signal from the government to guarantee better digital protections for minors.
Conclusion
Australia’s decision to prohibit under-16-year-olds from having social media accounts is one of the most stringent measures for child safety in the world. While practical enforcement issues may arise, the initiative highlights the growing need for regulations on children’s online behavior to protect their mental health, privacy, and overall well-being in an increasingly digital world.
