Australia to Ban Social Media for Kids Under 16 Starting December

Published: 21 November 2025 Friday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Australia is set to become the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under the age of 16, a landmark move aimed at shielding young users from the mounting risks associated with online platforms. From 10 December, social media companies operating in Australia will be legally required to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from creating accounts, and to deactivate or remove existing accounts that breach the age threshold. The government argues that this measure is necessary to curb the pressures and harms children face online, including exposure to content that can negatively impact their mental health, wellbeing, and social development. Central to the policy is the understanding that many social media platforms are deliberately designed to maximize screen time, with algorithms and features that can encourage addictive behaviour, overexposure to harmful material, and unhealthy comparisons among peers. This initiative, widely welcomed by parents and child safety advocates, is being framed as a proactive step toward safeguarding children while ensuring that social media remains a safer space for older users.

The policy follows a government-commissioned study earlier this year, which found that a staggering 96% of children aged 10 to 15 are active on social media, with seven out of ten reporting exposure to content ranging from misogynistic material and violent videos to content promoting eating disorders and suicidal behaviours. In addition, the research revealed that one in seven children experienced grooming-like behaviour by adults or older peers, and over half reported instances of cyberbullying. These alarming statistics underscore the urgency behind the government’s decision to implement a ban, emphasizing the need for platforms to take greater responsibility for protecting young users. While the initiative is unprecedented globally, it reflects growing awareness of the long-term psychological, social, and developmental risks associated with early and unsupervised exposure to social media.

Under the new rules, ten major platforms have been explicitly named as falling under the ban: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch. These platforms were chosen because their primary purpose is to facilitate online social interaction, allow users to interact with others, and enable posting and sharing of content—all criteria the government uses to determine whether a platform should be included. However, services such as YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp are exempt, as they do not meet all these criteria. Children will still be able to view much content on platforms like YouTube without an account, providing some degree of flexibility while maintaining the core protections intended by the ban. The government has also indicated that the list of affected platforms will be regularly reviewed and may expand in the future, with particular attention being given to online gaming platforms, which have recently begun introducing age checks for certain features to pre-empt inclusion in the ban.

Unlike conventional restrictions, the responsibility for enforcement falls squarely on social media companies rather than children or their parents. Platforms that fail to comply with the ban or do not take sufficient measures to verify users’ ages could face penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million (approximately US$32 million or £25 million) for serious or repeated violations. The legislation requires companies to employ “reasonable steps” and utilize age assurance technologies, though the government has not specified which methods must be adopted. Proposed techniques include government-issued IDs, biometric verification such as facial or voice recognition, and age inference technologies, which estimate a user’s age based on their online behaviour or interactions rather than relying solely on self-reported birthdates. These measures are intended to make it more difficult for underage users to circumvent restrictions while balancing privacy concerns.

The social media industry has reacted strongly to the announcement, raising concerns about practicality, privacy, and potential unintended consequences. Many companies argue that age verification is difficult to enforce, prone to circumvention, and time-consuming for users, while critics warn that such restrictions could drive children toward less regulated or hidden corners of the internet, potentially increasing exposure to dangerous content. Platforms like Snap, which owns Snapchat, and YouTube have also challenged their classification as social media companies, with Google reportedly considering a legal challenge regarding YouTube’s inclusion. Despite these objections, the Australian government remains firm in its stance, emphasizing that the primary goal is child safety and that companies must adapt their policies and technology to comply.

Evidence from interviews with teenagers indicates that many are attempting to bypass the upcoming ban by creating accounts with false ages, using VPNs to mask their location, or switching to apps not included in the government’s list. Some teen influencers have opted to operate joint accounts with parents, while others share tips online on how to evade restrictions. In response, the government has stressed that social media companies must actively monitor and remove underage accounts, employing robust age verification processes to prevent circumvention. This highlights the ongoing tension between technological enforcement, user behaviour, and regulatory oversight, which will be a central challenge in implementing the world-first policy effectively.

The Australian ban reflects a growing global conversation about the impact of social media on young people, including the psychological, social, and cognitive consequences of early and excessive exposure. Researchers have long warned that children under 16 are particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying, predatory behaviour, and harmful content, while the platforms themselves are designed to maximize engagement, sometimes prioritizing attention and monetization over user safety. By targeting this age group specifically, the government aims to protect children at a formative stage of development, ensuring that social interaction, self-image, and mental health are not unduly shaped by social media pressures. The legislation also signals a proactive approach to digital governance, demonstrating that governments can take strong, preventative action in the face of emerging risks.

While parents and child safety advocates have praised the measure, debates continue about the wider implications for young people’s social lives, digital literacy, and engagement with technology. Critics argue that children may lose out on important social interactions and online learning opportunities, and that the ban could encourage creative circumvention, potentially exposing them to riskier environments online. Proponents counter that the policy is necessary to instill safer digital habits, protect children from harmful content, and compel social media companies to prioritize user safety, accountability, and ethical design practices. The balance between child protection, privacy, and access to digital resources is central to the ongoing discussion around the policy.

The ban also marks a turning point in how governments approach social media regulation, particularly concerning age-specific protections. With penalties for non-compliance set at unprecedented levels, the legislation is designed to create strong incentives for platforms to invest in age verification technologies, compliance monitoring, and account management systems. Australia’s approach may serve as a blueprint for other countries considering similar policies, as policymakers worldwide grapple with the challenges of protecting children online while maintaining access to digital innovation and social opportunities. The policy signals that governments are increasingly willing to impose strict accountability measures on social media companies in order to safeguard vulnerable users.

In practice, the ban will likely require a combination of technological solutions, user education, and ongoing monitoring. Platforms will need to adopt advanced verification tools, detect attempts at deception, and implement safeguards to prevent account misuse. Parents will play a supportive role in guiding children toward safe online behaviour, while educators and policymakers will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of age-based restrictions. The success of Australia’s social media ban will depend on collaboration among governments, tech companies, families, and children themselves, alongside continuous adaptation to technological developments and user behaviour.

Ultimately, Australia’s decision to ban social media use for children under 16 reflects a broader recognition of the risks inherent in digital spaces for young users. By establishing clear legal responsibilities for social media companies, employing technological safeguards, and prioritizing child safety, the government aims to create a safer online environment while mitigating exposure to harmful content, predatory behaviour, and cyberbullying. The policy represents a pioneering effort in global digital governance, one that balances innovation, regulation, and protection of vulnerable populations, and may set a precedent for other nations grappling with the complex challenges posed by social media in children’s lives.

In conclusion, from 10 December, Australia will require social media platforms to actively prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts, positioning the nation at the forefront of child digital protection. While challenges remain—such as enforcement, circumvention, and privacy concerns—the ban is a significant step toward ensuring that social media use among children is safer, more regulated, and aligned with developmental and health considerations. By holding platforms accountable and implementing age verification systems, Australia is signaling a new era of digital responsibility, one that could influence global standards and establish new norms for child safety online.