Australia is about to block anyone under 16 from having accounts on major social media platforms. The rule kicks in on December 10, and companies like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and others will have to remove underage users or face big fines. The idea is to protect teenagers from harmful content, mental health issues, bullying, unrealistic body standards, and exposure to adult material.
Platforms will be the ones policing this. They’ll need to check ages and shut down accounts that belong to younger teens. The government hasn’t set one required method, but companies are experimenting with things like selfie-based age checks, ID verification, or looking at the account’s original sign-up information. Kids who browse without logging in can still see some content, but they won’t be able to create accounts.
Some apps are included in the ban, while others are exempt. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch, Reddit, Threads, X, and Kick are in. YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, Pinterest, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and some gaming platforms are currently out, though the list could change.
Australia knows teenagers will try to get around the rules by faking IDs or making accounts that appear older, but platforms are expected to catch as much of that as they reasonably can. If they don’t, they could be fined tens of millions of dollars.
Tech companies aren’t thrilled. Some, especially those based in the US, have pushed back, and YouTube has even considered challenging its inclusion. Two Australian teens are also taking the issue to court, arguing that banning platforms isn’t the solution.
Other countries are watching closely. New Zealand, Indonesia, Denmark, the UK, and the US already have or are considering similar measures, though none have gone as far as Australia. The outcome could influence future rules around the world.
