Australia is taking a bold step to protect children online by making it illegal for anyone under 16 to have an account on major social media platforms. Apps like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter) are all included.
From 10 December 2025, these platforms must take “reasonable steps” to keep younger teens off their services. This could mean asking for proof of age, using technology to estimate age, or tracking behaviour to spot under‑16 users.
The law focuses on holding social media companies accountable rather than blaming children or their parents. If platforms don’t comply, they could face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million.
The government hopes this move will give children more time to grow offline, improve mental health, protect sleep, and reduce the pressures of social media at a young age. Some experts, however, warn that strict enforcement could be tricky and might push teens toward less regulated corners of the internet.
It’s a world-first effort that puts the spotlight squarely on platforms to make online spaces safer for younger users.
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