On 10 December 2025, Australia began implementing restrictions on social media accounts for children under the age of 16. Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Snapchat and Reddit are required to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. The legal responsibility is placed on social media platforms rather than on children or their parents.

    The measure does not prohibit all internet or social media access for children under 16. Publicly available content that does not require an account can still be viewed, while certain services primarily intended for messaging or online gaming are excluded. The policy is intended to delay access to social media accounts and reduce young people's exposure to online risks during a critical stage of development.

Comment from GAME-F

What makes Australia’s approach significant is that responsibility for children’s social media use is no longer placed solely on children and their families; platforms themselves are required to take concrete action. This represents an important shift toward addressing the design and responsibilities of digital services.

At the same time, setting the threshold at age 16 cannot by itself resolve the complex challenges of children’s digital use. Social media also provides opportunities for communication and access to information, while restrictions may shift young people toward other services and raise questions about the accuracy of age assurance. Rather than framing the issue simply as “ban or allow,” we need to consider how digital environments affect children’s sleep, learning, family relationships and everyday functioning.

References

eSafety Commissioner — Australia makes history with the social media minimum age

eSafety Commissioner — Social media age restrictions

Federal Register of Legislation — Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024