Australia has introduced a new rule that stops anyone under 16 from opening a social-media account, making it the first country in the world to enforce such a restriction. The ban comes under the Online Safety Amendment Bill, which was approved in November 2024.
The goal is to shield young users from harmful content, online predators, and other digital risks. Here’s a simple QA to explain how this new law will work and what it means for families. Question 1: How will the social media ban work?
Answer: This social media ban means that children under 16 will not be able to create accounts on ‘age-restricted’ platforms. The government says this is not a ban, but a delay, waiting until the age of 16. Australia’s Communications Minister, Anika Wells, has stated that this is a way to protect children from harmful online content. Social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps, such as age verification, to address this. If the law is not followed, punishment will only be given to the platforms, not to children or parents. Also read: Why AI companies offering free subscriptions in India, find out how each service collects, stores, and protects your data
Question 2: Which platforms will be banned, and which will be spared?
Answer: The ban will apply to platforms where social interaction is primary. These include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Threads, Reddit, and Kik. Reddit and Kik were recently added because they focus on social interaction and user content.
Children will be able to watch videos on YouTube and Reddit, but they will not be able to comment or post without creating an account. On the other hand, platforms like Discord, Twitch, Messenger, WhatsApp, GitHub, Google Classroom, Lego Play, Roblox, Steam, and YouTube Kids are exempt from the ban.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated that these platforms are focused on social interaction, so the ban list is not yet final and may change. Question 3: What will happen to existing accounts?
Answer: The ban will commence from December 10, 2025. Existing accounts will need to be deactivated or deleted. Platforms will have to take ‘reasonable steps’, such as checking age. Wells said: Platforms will have to inform every user before December 10. Also read: Your Android screen might be secretly spying on you
Question 4: How will the ban be implemented, and what will be the penalty? Answer: The responsibility for implementing the ban will lie with the platforms. If they do not comply, a fine of $49.5 million (approximately 400 crore rupees) may be imposed. Platforms will have to check ‘age-related signals’, such as account age, interaction with child content, or age estimation from profile photos.
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