Australia has implemented a world-first social media ban under-16s, causing millions of children and teenagers to lose access to their accounts.
Platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch and Threads must remove accounts of users under 16 in Australia and block new registrations for this age group. Non-compliant platforms face fines up to $49.5 million. However, children and parents will not be punished for infringing the ban.
Early implementation challenges
Implementation shows some issues. Reports indicate underage users sometimes pass facial age assurance tests, though the government expects imperfections initially. The government says firms must take “reasonable steps” to keep kids off their platforms, and should use multiple age assurance technologies.
These could include government IDs, face or voice recognition, or so-called “age inference”, which analyses online behaviour and interactions to estimate a person’s age.
All platforms except X confirmed compliance by Tuesday. The eSafety commissioner discussed compliance with X, but the company has not shared its policy with users.
Bluesky voluntarily banned under-16s despite its low-risk classification and small Australian user base of 50,000.
Preparations by children and parents
Children completed age checks, exchanged phone numbers and prepared for account deactivation in recent weeks. The k-ID age assurance service, used by Snapchat, handled hundreds of thousands of checks.
Parents express mixed views. One parent reported their 15-year-old daughter felt distressed as friends verified as 18 continued using Snapchat, risking social exclusion. Another taught their child to use VPNs and bypass restrictions. Others welcomed the ban, saying it helps combat addiction and provides support to keep children off platforms.
Prime Minister’s stance
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the process will not achieve perfection but sends a clear message, comparing it to the legal drinking age of 18.
Polling shows two-thirds of voters support the minimum age of 16. The opposition, despite initial support, now raises concerns.
Global attention and monitoring
The Australia social media ban under-16s attracts global attention. Malaysia, Denmark and Norway plan similar measures. The EU passed a resolution for restrictions, and the UK monitors Australia’s approach.
From Thursday, the eSafety commissioner will request updates on deactivated accounts, challenges, prevention of circumvention, and functioning of abuse reporting and appeals.
The government will publish this information and assess if platforms take reasonable steps, potentially pursuing court fines for failures.
Independent evaluation planned
An independent academic group will evaluate short-term, medium-term and long-term impacts, including benefits like improved sleep, sports participation, reading, reduced antidepressant use and better academic scores, plus unintended consequences such as shifts to darker internet areas, VPN use or alternative platforms.
Teens shared mobile numbers publicly on Snapchat before deactivation; the company urged against this.
The commissioner contacted 15 additional companies, including Yope and Lemon8, for self-assessment.
Scope and exemptions of the ban
The ban covers platforms enabling social interaction, user connections and material posting. Exemptions include YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp. Under-16s can view most content without accounts.
Critics want extension to gaming sites like Roblox and Discord. Enforcement targets companies, not children or parents, requiring multiple age assurance methods like IDs or biometrics, not self-certification. Dating websites are excluded along with gaming platforms, as are AI chatbots, which have recently made headlines for allegedly encouraging children to kill themselves and for having “sensual” conversations with minors.
Some teens told the BBC they would set up fake profiles ahead of the deadline – although the government has warned social media companies to identify and remove such accounts. Others have switched to joint accounts with their parents. Commentators also predict a surge in the use of VPNs – which hide a user’s location – as happened in the UK after the implementation of age control rules there.
Meta closed teen accounts from 4 December, allowing appeals with ID or video. Snapchat offers bank account, photo ID or selfie verification.
Concerns over technology and privacy
Concerns include unreliable technology, especially facial assessment for teens, and privacy risks from data collection, though legislation requires data destruction after use and imposes penalties for breaches.
Companies initially opposed the ban, citing implementation difficulties, circumvention ease, privacy risks and potential isolation. Some denied social media classification. YouTube argued unlogged access reduces safety features.
Government aims and evidence
The government aims to reduce harms from addictive designs and exposure to misogynistic, violent, eating disorder or suicide-promoting content, grooming and cyberbullying, based on studies showing high usage and risks among 10-15-year-olds.
International approaches
Other countries explore regulations: Denmark plans under-15 ban, Norway considers it, France recommends under-15 ban and curfew for older teens, Spain requires guardian authorisation, UK imposes safety duties with fines, while a US state attempt failed in court.
Sources: BBC, The Guardian
Featured photo: The Guardian
Also read: Meta removes under-16s ahead of Australia social media ban
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel.
