Social Media Ban Australia 2025
The Australian Government has enacted a nationwide minimum-age restriction requiring major social-media platforms to prevent people under 16 from holding accounts on specified apps. Social Media Ban Australia Platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” risk heavy penalties (up to A$49.5 million). (Reuters)
When it starts / timing
- The measure commenced on 10 December 2025, with platforms instructed to have controls in place by that date (reports commonly state the rule takes effect at midnight local Australian time on 10 Dec 2025). Implementation will vary by platform and eSafety intends a staged compliance process. (Reuters)
Which platforms are affected Social Media Ban Australia
- Major platforms explicitly reported as in scope include YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (Twitter), Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick. Authorities have said the list may be updated and can grow to include other apps that attract under-16s. Some newer apps (for example Lemon8) were put “on notice” and have been added or targeted as they gained users. (UNICEF Australia)
Specific platform questions you asked
- Snapchat — Yes: Snapchat is listed among the platforms required to restrict under-16 accounts and has been the subject of reporting about age-verification and privacy concerns. (ABC)
- YouTube — Yes: YouTube is one of the platforms required to block or remove accounts of under-16s unless the platform implements acceptable age-verification and other steps. (YouTube Kids / education products are treated differently.) (The Guardian)
- Discord — No (for now): Discord is not named on the primary list reported in the early rollout. That does not guarantee it will never be included; authorities said the list could be expanded if needed. (SBS Australia)
- Reddit — Yes: Reddit was among platforms added to the list in the lead-up to commencement. (ABC)
- Lemon8 — Under scrutiny / on notice; some outlets report it has been added to the set of age-restricted platforms after teen uptake. (ABC)
Enforcement, how it will work, and practical notes
- Who enforces it: The Office of the eSafety Commissioner (Julie Inman-Grant) is overseeing compliance: gathering evidence from platforms, setting reporting rhythms and (if necessary) applying penalties. (eSafety Commissioner)
- How platforms may comply: eSafety and the Government expect a mix of age-inference technologies, selfie/biometric checks, document checks or payment-method checks. There are privacy and circumvention concerns (VPNs, family accounts, false ages) being widely reported. (Reuters)
- Penalties: Platforms that do not take “reasonable steps” can face fines up to A$49.5 million. However, regulators say they will follow a process of engagement and phased compliance rather than immediate fining. (Reuters)
“What time does the social media ban start / how long until the ban”
- The rule began on 10 December 2025 (official commencement). Reports refer to platforms being ordered to implement controls by midnight on 10 December local Australian time; practical lockouts and account checks rolled out over hours/days and the user experience may differ between platforms. (Reuters)
Role of Julie Inman-Grant
- Julie Inman-Grant is the Australian eSafety Commissioner; she is the regulator charged with overseeing the roll-out, asking platforms for compliance data, and guiding how the age restrictions are implemented and monitored. (eSafety Commissioner)
Practical implications / things to watch
- Under-16s may still try to access platforms (fake dates of birth, parents’ accounts, VPNs); the rollout will test how effective technical and verification measures are. (The Guardian)
- There are privacy trade-offs: some age verification approaches raise data-protection questions that commentators and privacy advocates are flagging. (ABC)
- Support networks (for example LGBTQIA+ youth using online spaces) may be disrupted; advocacy groups and some young people have raised concerns. (ABC)
Recent headlines
- “Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban.” — Reuters. (Reuters)
- “Millions of children and teens lose access to accounts as Australia’s world-first social media ban begins.” — The Guardian. (The Guardian)
- “Social media age restrictions — eSafety explainer.” — eSafety.gov.au (official guidance). (eSafety Commissioner)
- “Australia’s teen social media ban takes effect.” — Al Jazeera. (Al Jazeera)
- “Online privacy concerns as under-16 social media ban comes into effect.” — ABC News. (ABC)
Bottom line (short)
- The new Australian rules restrict social-media accounts for people under 16 on a set of major platforms; the measure commenced 10 December 2025 and is being implemented under the supervision of eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant. Snapchat and YouTube are explicitly affected; Discord was not on the initial list. Platforms face large fines for non-compliance, but rollout and enforcement will be phased and operational details will continue to evolve. (Reuters)
Here is a draft FAQ + annotated timeline & platform-status guide about the new Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2025 in Australia — aimed at helping parents and teens understand what the rules mean, how to prepare, and what to watch out for.
FAQ for Parents & Teens — What the New Social-Media Rules Mean
Q: What exactly has changed in Australia’s social-media rules?
Since 10 December 2025, a new law requires many major social-media platforms to prevent Australians under 16 from having or creating accounts on those platforms. (eSafety Commissioner)
Platforms must take “reasonable steps” to verify age and block or deactivate under-16 accounts, or face penalties up to A$ 49.5 million. (The Guardian)
Q: What happens to a user account if the person is under 16?
- Many platforms will give affected users the option to download/archive data (photos, messages, content) before the account is disabled. (The Guardian)
- Some platforms will place the account in a kind of “frozen” or “suspended until 16” status rather than immediate deletion. (The Guardian)
- Users may also have the chance to appeal if the age-check wrongly flags them as underage. (The Guardian)
Q: How will platforms verify a user’s age? Is there a privacy risk?
According to official guidance:
- Each platform decides its own method. Common approaches include self-declared birthdate, facial age-estimation / selfie-based checks, or document verification. (ABC)
- Some platforms said they will use “behavioral signals” (activity patterns, usage) to infer age. (The Guardian)
- Age-verification data should only be used for the purpose of verifying age (not for other profiling), per the regulation. (ABC)
- Nonetheless, privacy advocates warn that uploading ID or biometrics, or storing age-verification data, raises data-security concerns, especially for minors. (ABC)
Advice for parents/teens: only submit required data to official verification portals (not third-party “help” sites), and delete/archive important content before deactivation.
Q: What if I’m over 16 but still get flagged as underage by mistake?
Most platforms are expected to offer an appeals or manual verification process. (The Guardian)
If you believe your account was wrongly disabled, follow the platform’s instructions (e.g., provide ID or confirm via selfie) to restore access.
Q: What can under-16s or families do instead (alternatives)?
Because many mainstream social apps are restricted, consider safer or age-appropriate alternatives. Some platforms and services remain exempt under the law — at least for now — because they are categorised as messaging, education, gaming, or non-social content. (eSafety Commissioner)
Examples of allowed (or not-yet-restricted) platforms/services include:
- Messaging & communication: e.g., private chat or messaging platforms that do not count as “social media.” (SBS Australia)
- Gaming / education / non-social content services: These are more likely to remain accessible, depending on how “social interaction” is defined by the regulator. (eSafety Commissioner)
Also — before the ban kicks in — under-16 users should archive important contacts, groups or content, or otherwise plan alternative ways to stay connected (school groups, offline socialising, monitored / family-approved services). (ABC)
Timeline & Platform Status: Confirmed, Exempt, and “On Notice”
| Date / Status | Platforms Confirmed (under-16 banned) | Platforms Exempt / Not Yet Banned / Under Review |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Nov 2025 — official list released by eSafety Commissioner (eSafety Commissioner) | Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Threads, X, YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Reddit (eSafety Commissioner) | Discord, GitHub, WhatsApp / Messenger (non-Meta messaging), Google Classroom, LEGO Play, Roblox, Steam/Steam Chat, Pinterest, YouTube Kids, some others (gaming, education, messaging) (SBS Australia) |
| Late Nov / Early Dec 2025 — some smaller apps draw scrutiny as under-16s migrate to them (SBS Australia) | — | Apps like Lemon8, Yope — flagged as “on notice” / under review; may be added if harm or youth migration increases. (ABC) |
| 10 Dec 2025 — ban comes into effect. Age-restricted platforms must disable under-16 access or face big fines. (ABC) | Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Threads, X, YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Reddit (as before) (ABC) | Exempt platforms remain — but status is dynamic; regulator may expand list based on usage patterns. (SBS Australia) |
Note on “Dynamic List”: The authorities have emphasized that the list of banned / age-restricted platforms is not final. If youth migrate to other social apps, those apps may be added under future regulation. (eSafety Commissioner)
What Parents & Teens Should Do Now — Practical Recommendations
- Check which apps you / your child use — compare with the confirmed list above. If the app is in the confirmed list, expect access to be disabled if under 16.
- Back up or archive important content and contacts — photos, messages, subscription-related data or group chats (save outside the platform, e.g. download, screenshot, record contact info).
- Prepare for verification or account deletion — if you are borderline age or concerned about mis-flagging, gather any needed supporting documentation (ID, parental consent, official verification) before the deadline.
- Switch to safer / exempt platforms if needed — use messaging, gaming, educational or moderated services that remain accessible under the exemption list. Consider also supervised or parent-approved alternatives.
- Stay alert to change — because the list may expand, keep an eye on official announcements (e.g. from eSafety). Understand that apps currently exempt could become age-restricted later.
- Discuss with teens about digital safety and mental health — use this moment to talk about healthy screen time, safe online behaviours, and alternative social activities offline or on safer platforms.
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