Australia Enforces Nationwide Ban on Social Media Access for Minors Under 16

Australia officially commenced enforcement of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, becoming the first democracy globally to establish a comprehensive nationwide prohibition on social media accounts for individuals under the age of 16. This legislative action followed a year-long transition period after the Act received assent on December 10, 2024, requiring major digital platforms to implement reasonable controls to block minors from creating or maintaining accounts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese championed the enforcement, characterizing the legislation as “one of the biggest social and cultural changes that our nation has faced.” The mandate specifically targets ten of the largest platforms initially, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Reddit, with the eSafety Commissioner authorized to update this list dynamically. Digital platforms failing to implement 'reasonable steps' to bar users under 16 face substantial financial penalties, potentially reaching A$49.5 million per breach, equivalent to approximately US$50 million. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, began deactivating accounts for suspected under-16 users in Australia on December 4, preceding the official deadline.

To comply with the new regulation, platforms are deploying various age-verification technologies beyond simple self-attestation, including inference tools based on facial analysis, such as the technology utilized by Yoti for Meta’s platforms and k-ID for Snapchat, alongside optional identity document checks. However, the government has stipulated that platforms cannot compel users to submit official identification, even during age disputes. This reliance on biometric or identity data has generated apprehension among civil liberties groups concerned about increased data collection and privacy intrusions.

The legislation's impact is already being felt, with an estimated one million children affected reportedly posting farewell messages across their now-inaccessible platforms. The Digital Freedom Project filed a legal challenge in the High Court of Australia on November 26, 2025, arguing the laws infringe upon the Constitution's implied freedom of political communication. While the government maintains the law is crucial for mitigating cyberbullying and negative mental health outcomes—a position supported by polling showing two-thirds of voters backed the measure at passage—critics voice concerns that the ban could sever vital support networks for vulnerable youth, potentially pushing them toward less regulated online spaces, as suggested by Dr. Brittany Ferdinands of the University of Sydney.

Australia’s regulatory action is being closely monitored internationally, setting a potential precedent for other nations. Governments in countries such as New Zealand, Denmark, and Malaysia are reportedly studying or considering similar approaches, with Denmark planning a ban for under-15s and the European Union developing regional age-verification frameworks. Save the Children, while supporting the intent to protect children, urged policymakers to mandate the embedding of safety principles directly into platform design, moving beyond mere access restrictions.