Australia is poised to implement one of the world's strictest social media regulations, with a new law mandating a minimum age of 16 for account holders coming into force next week. Platforms that fail to comply face staggering financial penalties.
Strict Enforcement and Hefty Penalties
From 10 December 2025, major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and YouTube must take "reasonable steps" to identify and remove accounts belonging to Australian children under 16. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately £26 million or $33 million). The livestreaming service Twitch was recently added to the list of platforms subject to these rules.
The country's eSafety Commissioner will issue the first formal notices to ten platforms on 11 December, demanding data on how many underage accounts have been terminated. This will be followed by monthly reporting requirements for a period of six months as the regime beds in.
Platform Responses and Legal Challenges
Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged that age verification is a complex process, stating at the National Press Club of Australia that it "may require several days or weeks to complete fairly and accurately." However, she warned that systemic breaches would not be tolerated. The eSafety regulator confirmed that repeated violations could lead a court to apply the maximum penalty.
Tech giants have begun outlining their compliance strategies. Google announced that from 10 December, any Australian under 16 will be signed out of YouTube and lose account-specific features. The company criticised the legislation as "rushed," arguing it misunderstands platform use and fails to enhance online safety.
Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, stated it will start removing suspected underage users from Thursday. Those aged 16 or over who are mistakenly removed can verify their age through the Yoti Age Verification service using official ID or a video selfie.
Meanwhile, the Digital Freedom Project, a Sydney-based rights group, is seeking a High Court injunction to block the law. No hearing date had been set as of Wednesday.
A Growing Global Trend
Australia's move is part of a wider international shift towards stricter online age controls. Minister Wells noted that the European Commission, France, Denmark, Greece, Romania, and New Zealand are all exploring similar minimum age restrictions. Last month, Malaysia announced plans to ban social media accounts for under-16s from 2026.
"Over the coming months, we will fight to defend this law in the High Court because parents … right across Australia asked for government to step up," Wells asserted, framing the policy as a direct response to public demand for greater protection of children in digital spaces.
