Australia is poised to implement a groundbreaking social media ban targeting children under the age of 16, with the new rules set to take effect in just one week. The legislation represents a world-first attempt to shield minors from potential online harms by mandating that platforms deactivate accounts for underage users.
Which Platforms Are Included in the Ban?
The Australian government has named a specific list of platforms that must comply with the new regulations. The initial list includes major social media and content-sharing services: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. The platform Threads is also covered, as it requires an Instagram account to operate.
Officials have stressed that this is a dynamic list. If young users migrate to other services after the ban is enforced, those platforms could be added later. The eSafety commissioner has already flagged services like Lemon8 as potential future additions if they see a significant influx of underage users.
How Will Age Verification Work?
The responsibility for implementing age verification lies with the individual platforms, and their approaches will vary. The government has stipulated that requiring ID cannot be the sole method of age verification, prompting companies to develop multi-layered systems.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has been secretive about its precise methods to prevent teens from circumventing them. Snapchat plans to use behavioural signals and the birth dates listed on accounts. TikTok has promised a "multi-layered approach" using various technologies, with more details expected before the 10 December deadline. YouTube will rely on the age associated with a user's Google account alongside other signals.
Platforms that fail to take "reasonable steps" to prevent under-16s from holding accounts face staggering fines of up to $49.5 million.
What Happens to Existing Accounts and Appeals?
For young users, the process will differ by platform. Meta will offer teens a choice: they can download their data and put their account on hold until they turn 16, or delete it entirely. TikTok and Snapchat will provide similar options to deactivate or archive content. YouTube will disable accounts but not delete content, allowing users to regain access at 16.
Snapchat estimates this will affect approximately 440,000 Australian users aged between 13 and 15.
An appeals process will be available for users over 16 who are mistakenly flagged. Meta will use Yoti's facial age estimation technology or accept government ID. Snapchat will offer bank card checks, government ID, or a facial age estimation via k-ID. Other platforms are yet to fully outline their appeals procedures.
Exemptions and Potential Delays
Not all online platforms are included. Services deemed lower risk or primarily for other purposes are exempt. This list includes Roblox, Pinterest, YouTube Kids, Discord, WhatsApp, GitHub, LEGO Play, Steam, Google Classroom, Messenger, and LinkedIn.
While the ban is scheduled to begin on 10 December, its implementation may not be instantaneous. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has cautioned that not all underage accounts will "magically disappear" overnight. The regulator plans a "graduated risk and outcomes-based approach" to enforcement, focusing first on platforms with the highest proportion of young users.
A parliamentary committee recommended a six-month delay until June 2026, but the government has shown no sign of postponement. A separate High Court challenge on grounds of freedom of political communication has been launched but is yet to be heard. Major platforms, including Meta, TikTok, Snap, YouTube, Twitch, and Kick, have stated they will comply with the new law.
