Australia has become the first country to enforce a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16, with platforms removing nearly 4.7 million accounts in the first month since the law took effect on December 10, 2025.
Landmark Legislation Shows Early Success
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act prohibits major social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create accounts. Unlike previous age-restriction attempts worldwide, this law places full responsibility on platforms rather than parents or children.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared the initiative a success: “This is a source of Australian pride. This was world-leading legislation, and it is now being followed up around the world.”
Major Platforms Comply
All major social media companies have implemented the restrictions:
- Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Threads) removed over 550,000 accounts within 24 hours of enforcement
- TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X (Twitter) collectively account for the remaining 4.1 million removals
- Reddit and Twitch also comply, though Reddit has filed a legal challenge
Messaging services including WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger remain exempt from the ban.
Age Verification Methods
Platforms must implement robust age verification systems, including:
- Facial age estimation through selfie analysis
- Government ID document verification
- Linked bank account validation
The eSafety Commissioner focuses on systemic compliance rather than individual checks, requiring platforms to demonstrate “reasonable systems and processes” to prevent underage access.
Significant Penalties for Non-Compliance
Social media companies face fines up to $50 million AUD for failing to prevent underage users. Importantly, the law does not penalize children or their families—enforcement targets platforms exclusively.
Legal Challenges and Industry Response
Reddit has launched a legal challenge through the Digital Freedom Project, arguing the ban “isolates teens from the ability to engage in age-appropriate community experiences, including political discussions.” A court hearing is scheduled for February 2026.
Meta has publicly urged Australia to reconsider the approach, despite complying with enforcement requirements.
Global Implications
The Australian model is attracting international attention. France, Malaysia, and Indonesia have announced plans for similar legislation. Several European nations and US states are also exploring comparable restrictions.
For digital marketers, this shift signals a potential fragmentation in youth-focused advertising strategies. Brands targeting younger demographics may need to pivot toward platforms exempt from such bans or develop alternative engagement channels as more countries consider similar measures.