Translated with AI
The Australian government has decided to ban children under 16 from using social media. The new rules will come into effect on December 10, 2025. Existing accounts of minors must be deactivated or deleted, the BBC reports.
Australia became the first country in the world to introduce such a ban. Authorities emphasize that children are exposed to various risks and negative influences on social media. According to a government-commissioned study in early 2025, 96% of children aged 10–15 use social media, and seven in ten have encountered harmful content, including materials promoting violence, eating disorders, suicide, and videos of fights.
One in seven children reported being groomed by adults or older teens, and more than half have been victims of cyberbullying.
Ten platforms are subject to the ban: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, as well as the streaming services Kick and Twitch. The government stated that the list will be regularly reviewed, taking into account three criteria: the ability to facilitate online interaction between users, the ability to interact with other users, and the ability to post content. YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp are not subject to the ban.
Children and parents will not be penalized for violating the restrictions; responsibility for enforcing the rules falls on digital platforms. Failure to comply with the law carries fines of up to AUD49.5 million (approximately USD32 million) for serious or repeated violations. Companies are required to take "reasonable steps" to prevent minors from accessing the platform using age verification technologies. The law does not specify the specific methods to be used; options such as government-issued ID, facial or voice recognition, and user behavior analysis are being discussed.
Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, announced it would begin deleting teen accounts starting December 4. Users who are deleted by mistake will be able to verify their age with a government-issued ID or a video selfie. Snapchat announced that age verification will be available through bank statements, a photo of an ID, or a selfie. Other platforms have not yet announced how they will enforce the new rules.
Experts and critics note that the ban's effectiveness depends on the reliability of age verification technologies. The government report notes that facial analysis is the least reliable for the target demographic. There are also concerns about the potential for leakage and improper storage of user data used for age verification.
The Australian government maintains that personal information will be protected and used solely for age verification, after which it will be destroyed. Platforms are also required to offer alternative verification methods that do not rely on government-issued IDs.
Australia is currently the only country with a complete ban on social media for children under 16. Other countries have implemented measures to limit internet time or protect against harmful content, including parental consent requirements and age restrictions.
Critics also note that teenagers will look for ways to circumvent the ban, including creating accounts with fake ages, sharing accounts with parents, and using VPNs.
