Australia's Social Media Ban for Under-16s Takes Effect

Australia's Pioneering Social Media Ban Begins

From December 10, 2025, a globally unique social media ban has come into force in Australia, prohibiting children under the age of 16 from accessing major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch, X, Reddit, Threads, and Kick. This controversial legislation affects approximately one million young Australians and represents one of the most ambitious attempts by any government to regulate the online behavior of youth.

'What am I going to do without Instagram?' asks 15-year-old Tom Knight, a question echoing in Australian households as the ban begins. Knight and his friend Toby Price, both 15, express frustration over losing access to their digital social lives. 'It's so annoying. I just want to watch TikTok and play games,' says Price, who anticipates significant lifestyle changes. 'I'll probably have a lot more free time, but I have no idea what I'm going to do with it.'

Age Verification and Enforcement Challenges

The responsibility for enforcing the age limit lies entirely with social media companies, which must demonstrate they are taking 'reasonable steps' to prevent under-16s from accessing their platforms. Companies risk fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance, although parents and children themselves are not penalized for violations.

Meta has already begun removing accounts of young users, with over 500,000 blocked accounts in preparation for the ban. Age verification methods include requesting identification documents, bank details, and facial scans, along with algorithmic analysis of user behavior to estimate age.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland acknowledges the limitations: 'Parents in Australia have asked the government to do something. They know, and we know, it won't be perfect. But for the seven in ten children who experience online abuse, and for a generation that deserves the best start in life, we have to try this.'

Legal Challenges and Workarounds

The Digital Freedom Project has filed a High Court case on behalf of two 15-year-olds, arguing that the ban infringes on children's rights. The case is scheduled for hearing next year.

Meanwhile, teenagers are already exploring ways to circumvent the ban. 'Everyone is going to try to get around it,' says 14-year-old Connie Rawson, who uses social media to stay in touch with friends who live further away. Methods include using VPNs to appear in countries without the ban, asking parents or older friends to complete facial scans, and even using masks to fool facial recognition technology.

Rawson sums up the rebellious spirit: 'There are no consequences for kids if you're on it anyway. And it's also a kind of challenge. Precisely because it's forbidden, you want to be on it.'

International Attention and Future Implications

Australia's experiment is being closely watched worldwide. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has praised Australia's 'brave' approach, calling it 'just common sense'. Several countries including Denmark, Greece, Romania, France, New Zealand, and Malaysia are considering similar policies.

At Marrickville High School in Sydney, students are preparing for a summer without social media. Fifteen-year-old Mika Bakota reflects the mixed feelings: 'I have to ask my friends for their phone numbers because we won't be able to chat via social media anymore.' He adds: 'I don't think I'll be too bothered by the ban. I just see it as a detox.'

Minister Rowland anticipates a challenging transition: 'Children will experience withdrawal symptoms. Teens will be angry and try their best to keep their accounts. But I believe the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term inconvenience.'

The success of Australia's social media ban will depend on technological enforcement, legal outcomes, and whether the promised mental health benefits materialize. As the world watches, this Australian experiment could shape how countries worldwide approach the digital protection of young people.