Starting 10 December 2025, young Australians under 16 will no longer be able to open new accounts on most major social-media platforms.
That includes TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
This update to Australia’s Online Safety Act shifts responsibility for children’s online safety from parents alone to the technology companies that profit from their engagement.
Why This Is Happening
The rule comes from the Australian Government under the portfolio of The Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Communications, and will be enforced by the eSafety Commissioner.
Researchers, parents, and educators have long warned about the effects of early social-media exposure, from disrupted sleep to anxiety, low self-esteem, and cyber-bullying.
While every child’s experience is different, experts agree that younger users are more vulnerable to harm.
This new framework gives children extra time to grow before stepping into the complex, fast-moving world of social platforms designed for adults.
What’s Changing
From December, companies must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from joining age-restricted platforms.
If they fail, penalties can reach $49.5 million.
This isn’t a ban on internet use. It’s about accountability: platforms must add real age-assurance checks, remove under-age accounts, and prove to the eSafety Commissioner that their systems work.
How Age Assurance Will Work
Faking a birthday won’t be enough anymore.
Platforms need privacy-friendly systems that might include:
- technology to estimate if someone is likely over 16
- optional parental confirmation steps
- continuous reviews to spot under-age activity
Crucially, no one will be forced to upload ID documents or facial scans.
Each company must demonstrate to the regulator that its chosen system protects user privacy and improves over time.
What Families Will Notice
If a young person already has an account, they may receive a request to confirm their age.
If proof isn’t possible, the account may be paused or removed not as punishment, but as compliance with the law.
This moment is a good opportunity for families to talk about online habits:
- Which apps are being used and why?
- What feels safe or unsafe?
- What limits or screen-free times make sense at home?
The Risks and Realities
No large system works perfectly on launch.
Some teens will look for ways around it; some platforms may accidentally over-block users.
The Government and eSafety Commissioner expect that and will monitor performance closely.
The emphasis is on steady improvement, privacy protection, and transparency — not mass data collection or blame.
The big shift is this: companies now share the duty of care.
They must build safety into their design instead of leaving parents to carry it alone.
How Parents, Carers and Teachers Can Help
- Start early conversations.
Explain that these rules protect, not punish. - Model healthy behaviour.
Take device-free breaks and keep screens out of bedrooms. - Partner with schools.
Many are adding digital-literacy lessons that align with the new law. - Use trusted guidance:
- eSafety Commissioner : www.esafety.gov.au – official updates and family guides.
- Headspace : www.headspace.org.au – wellbeing and online-balance resources for young people.
- Australian Human Rights Commission : www.humanrights.gov.au – information on children’s rights and privacy.
Australia in a Global Context
Australia is the first country to make an enforceable, nationwide under-16 rule with government oversight and serious financial penalties.
- France and Spain: parental consent for under-15s or 16s.
- Denmark: similar rule planned for 2026.
- United States: fragmented state-by-state efforts, many still in court.
Australia’s model is unique: high minimum age, national coverage, strict fines, and regulator enforcement rather than voluntary compliance.
What It Means for All of Us
The internet won’t change overnight — but the balance of responsibility will.
This reform prioritises safety, privacy, and digital wellbeing.
It ensures that children can learn, connect, and explore without being exposed to pressures they’re not ready for.
It’s not about locking kids out; it’s about giving them space to grow and tools to thrive when they’re ready.
