Australia is set to introduce one of the world’s most ambitious child-safety policies: a ban preventing anyone under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major social media platforms.
Starting 10 December, companies will be required to take “reasonable steps” to ensure children are protected online, focusing on reducing the emotional, psychological, and developmental risks young people face.
The government argues the policy is about safeguarding children from the mounting pressures fostered by social media platforms designed to keep users online for as long as possible, often exposing young people to harmful or disturbing content.
According to a government-commissioned study, 96% of children aged 10 to 15 are on social media, and many encounter misogyny, violent videos, self-harm material, and even grooming behaviour.
More than half report being cyberbullied. The ban applies to major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, Kick, and Twitch.
Although children will still be able to view most non-restricted content on sites like YouTube, they will not be allowed to hold personal accounts. Gaming platforms may also face future inclusion if risks continue to rise.
Enforcement will fall entirely on social media companies, not families. Firms may face fines of up to $49.5 million AUD for major breaches.
They are expected to adopt age-assurance tools such as ID verification, facial or voice recognition, and age-inference technologies. The government insists that platforms must offer alternatives to ID uploads and must securely destroy verification data once processed.
While Meta has already begun removing underage accounts, other companies are still determining how to comply.
Many have expressed concerns about the policy’s practical challenges, its impact on privacy, and the possibility that determined teens will still seek ways around the system.
Some critics argue that banning social media may isolate vulnerable teens who rely on online communities, while others say that comprehensive digital literacy education would be more effective.
Data protection experts have raised alarms about the scale of sensitive information that may be collected, especially given Australia’s history of major data breaches.
The government, however, says strict safeguards and penalties will be in place to protect children’s information.
Globally, the policy is being closely watched. While some countries enforce parental-consent rules or safety standards, none has implemented a ban as sweeping as Australia’s.
Nations including France, Denmark, Norway, and Spain are exploring similar ideas, but many remain cautious.
Young people, meanwhile, are already searching for workarounds creating accounts with fake ages, using VPNs, or teaming up with parents to maintain shared accounts.
Their actions highlight a crucial reality: the digital world is deeply woven into the lives of today’s youth.
Australia’s Communications Minister acknowledges the policy won’t be perfect. But supporters say it reflects an urgent attempt to protect children’s wellbeing in an environment where online risks are evolving faster than regulation.
At its core, the ban represents a national conversation about childhood, safety, autonomy, and how society can better support young people as they navigate an increasingly complex digital world.
