Australia Sets a World First Social Media Regulation
Australia will enforce a social media age limit restricting Australians under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major platforms from 10 December 2025. The government’s law aims to protect young Australians during a vulnerable stage of development by shielding them from potential risks and harms associated with social media use. This world-first measure will hold platforms accountable by requiring them to implement “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16 users and further penalise non-compliance with fines up to A$49.5 million. The platforms expected to be affected include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
Key Criteria for Age-Restricted Platforms
The law targets services where the core or significant purpose is social interaction between users. It applies if the platform allows users to link or interact with others and permits content posting. Platforms such as online gaming and standalone messaging apps have mostly been exempted unless they feature social media-like interactions. These carefully defined conditions help focus the regulation on platforms posing the greatest risks to children’s wellbeing.
Figure 1: Social media platforms affected by Australia’s under-16 age restriction law
Why Australia Took This Step
Social media use among children presents mental health concerns related to excessive screen time, addictive design features, exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, and online predators. The government’s view is that the risks for children under 16 outweigh the benefits, making stricter protections necessary. Parents, many of whom struggle to manage their children’s social media activities, widely support the policy, which also addresses social pressures on kids to join platforms prematurely.
What the Law Changes for Young Australians
From December 2025, children under 16 cannot create or keep accounts on the regulated platforms. However, those under the age limit can still access publicly available content without logging in. This means they can search, watch videos, read posts, and consume information. The key change is the prohibition on forming a business relationship with platforms that seek to gather children’s personal data for targeted engagement. This restriction aims to limit exposure to manipulative algorithms that can foster addiction.
Enforcement and Compliance Challenges
The government requires platforms to adopt “reasonable steps” to enforce the age limit. While the ideal enforcement method remains under discussion, experts have highlighted challenges with existing technologies used for age verification. Methods such as government ID scanning, facial recognition, behavioural analysis, or parental consent have privacy risks and limitations. The government has commissioned reports exploring a range of options but has yet to mandate a single approach.
The law does not penalise children or families found using social media underage. Instead, responsibility lies with the platforms, which face fines up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance. Platforms must deactivate underage accounts and prevent new ones from being created.
Figure 2: Age verification methods being considered for social media compliance
Platforms Included and Exemptions
The regulation covers mainstream social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube. Messaging apps without social media style interactions are exempt. Educational, health, and online gaming services are excluded as well because they do not pose the same risks or are covered by other laws.
Government and Expert Commentary
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the law a necessary measure to ensure the safety of children, referring to real-life tragedies that are connected to online harms. The government highlights that it cares about the families, and moves responsibility and enforcement to the tech companies, which make money from children’s interaction.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner states, “Age-restricted platforms won’t be allowed to let under-16s create or keep an account.” The commissioner adds that these platforms encourage harmful engagement through design features that increase screen time and expose children to damaging content.
Public Support and Political Context
Polls indicate that there is high support among the people, with approximately 77% of Australians favouring the age limit. The policy is indicative of a worldwide trend of securing children on the Internet and is more restrictive than most foreign versions because it explicitly prohibits the use of accounts by children under the age of 16 instead of making them consent with their parents. The passage of the law will be a political triumph in the midst of campaigning in the leadup to the 2025 elections.
Figure 3: Public support statistics for Australia’s under-16 social media restrictions
What the Law Does Not Do
The policy does not restrict access to content on social media platforms. Children under 16 will still browse public posts, watch videos, and use social tools not tied to account ownership. The goal is not to fully disconnect children from online content but to prevent harmful social media relationships that involve data collection and addictive engagement.
Technical and Privacy Considerations
The government is aware of privacy concerns related to age verification technologies. Platforms would ideally verify users’ ages without retaining sensitive data. However, identity document scanning remains contentious due to potential data breaches and misuse. The government continues consulting on this issue to find an effective balance between enforcement and privacy protection.
The Global Impact
Australia has pioneered this minimum age law. Other nations watch closely, with some already considering similar measures. The policy could set a new benchmark for international regulations aimed at reducing social media harms among children. Its success or challenges may influence global digital safety policies in the coming years.
Summary of the Social Media Age Limit Law
- Effective from 10 December 2025
- Applies to platforms primarily for social interaction and content sharing
- Platforms must prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts
- Under-16 users can still access publicly available content
- Non-compliant platforms face fines up to A$49.5 million
- Exemptions include gaming, health, education, and messaging apps without social features
- Enforcement methods remain under consultation to address privacy and practicality
- Strong government and public support underpin the policy
Conclusion
Australia’s social media age limit law marks a significant intervention in protecting children online. It shifts accountability for underage use from families to platforms and prioritises mental health and wellbeing. With a clear deadline of December 2025, Australian social media companies prepare for a new era of regulation. The law will likely influence digital policy debates globally while offering a model for balancing user safety and privacy rights in the digital age.
