Australia Implements Social Media Age Restriction Law for Minors

Starting December 10, 2025, Australia will enforce a pioneering law prohibiting individuals under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major social media platforms. This legislation, known as the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, aims to shield minors from online harms such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.

The law mandates that platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Kick, and Threads take reasonable steps to prevent underage users from having accounts. Non-compliance could result in fines up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 33 million). The responsibility is placed on the platforms rather than on young people or their parents. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of safeguarding children during critical stages of their development.

In response, major social media companies have begun implementing measures to comply with the new law. Meta announced plans to deactivate underage accounts, allowing affected users to verify their age via ID or video selfie through Yoti if mistakenly deleted. YouTube stated that users under 16 will be logged out and lose access to certain features.

However, the legislation has faced criticism from tech companies and civil rights groups, who argue that the law is rushed and may be ineffective, potentially driving teens to circumvent restrictions. The Digital Freedom Project announced plans to challenge the law in the High Court of Australia, claiming it violates the implied right to political communication in the Constitution.

Internationally, the legislation has garnered attention. Oprah Winfrey publicly endorsed Australia's move, highlighting the potential positive impact on young people's social development. Other countries, including France, Denmark, and New Zealand, are monitoring the effectiveness of this regulation as they consider similar measures.

Enforcing the age restriction presents challenges. The Australian government has advised platforms against broad age verification for all users, emphasizing that only targeted checks should be used to prevent accounts for those under 16. Critics warn of potential privacy risks, fearing users may be forced to verify their age. However, officials argue that platforms often already know users' ages, reducing the need for invasive checks.

The legislation aims to protect minors from online harms such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. However, experts warn that tech-savvy youth may evade age checks through tactics such as VPNs, disguises, and video tricks, and may migrate to alternative platforms like gaming apps with chat functions. While the eSafety Commissioner calls for vigilance and improved age verification, concerns remain about the effectiveness of enforcement amid limited verification technology.

As the implementation date approaches, the effectiveness of Australia's new social media age restriction law will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally, as a potential model for protecting minors online.