Ban Takes Effect Across Ten Major Platforms The federal law barred users under 16 from accessing Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, Kick, Reddit, Twitch and X, with the rollout beginning on December 10, 2025 [1][3]. Australia becomes the first nation to set a 16‑year minimum age for these services, following a year‑long policy debate and state‑level pilots [1][2]. Platforms must block new under‑age sign‑ups and suspend existing accounts, though some children remain online during the transition [2].

Age‑Verification Technology Faces Accuracy Issues Companies rely on age‑estimation tools, including facial‑recognition checks that misidentify 8.5 % of 16‑year‑olds and 2.6 % of 17‑year‑olds, raising concerns about false rejections [1]. Meta warned thousands of 13‑ to 15‑year‑olds to download their digital histories and delete accounts, describing its verification process as lengthy and multi‑step [1]. The lack of a unified verification standard leaves platforms using varied methods, complicating enforcement [3].

Multi‑Million Dollar Penalties Drive Compliance Non‑compliant platforms face fines up to A$49.5 million (≈ US$33 million) under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 [1]. The threat of substantial financial loss pushes firms to remove under‑16 accounts quickly, though enforcement mechanisms remain under observation [2][3]. The fine structure is intended to signal the government’s seriousness about protecting youth mental health [1].

Political Leadership and International Attention Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the ban as global leadership responding to parental pleas and cited Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation as an intellectual catalyst [2]. State‑level initiatives and grieving‑parent campaigns helped shape the federal measure, positioning Australia as a test case for other countries [2]. Global observers are monitoring the policy’s impact on youth wellbeing and potential replication abroad [3].

Critics Question Effectiveness and Privacy Safeguards Experts warn the ban may not curb cyberbullying, harassment or broader privacy risks, noting that age‑verification tools can expose biometric data [2]. Implementation unevenness—some platforms lag in removing under‑age users—could limit the law’s protective intent [2]. The debate continues over whether restricting access alone can address the complex harms associated with social‑media use among teenagers [2].