Social media ban in Australia
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| Social media ban in Australia |
In less than three days, Australia will begin the world's first social media ban for children under 16. Tech platforms, both large and small, will activate a feature that restricts accounts for users under this age and prevents them from creating new ones. But how will this ban be enforced? What will happen to existing accounts? And what recourse is available for people who might be banned by mistake?
What is the social media ban in Australia, and when will it start?
Starting December 10, platforms subject to Australian age restrictions will be required to deactivate accounts of users under 16 and prevent them from creating new accounts until they reach that age.
This isn't limited to this age group; all social media users in Australia will have to prove their age, which could make the process complex and time-consuming.
The eSafety Commissioner must ensure that platforms have taken "reasonable steps" to prevent underage accounts from being created, or they could face fines of up to $49.5 million.
Which social media platforms and applications will be banned for those under the age of sixteen?
- - TikTok
- - Snapchat
- - X (Twitter)
- - YouTube
- - Twitch
- - Kik
- - Threads
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kik were included in the initial list of apps subject to the ban. The ban also includes Threads, which requires an Instagram account to use.
The government confirmed that the list is subject to change, and other platforms may be added if children resort to them after the ban takes effect and similar concerns arise. The eSafety Commissioner indicated that services like Lemon8 may also be added, and it is expected that they will delete teenagers' accounts.
Which platforms are not on Australia's blacklist?
- - Roblox
- - YouTube Kids
- - Discord
- - Lemon8
- - GitHub
- - LEGO Play
- - Steam & SteamChat
- - Google Classroom
- - Messenger
Platforms such as Roblox, YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn are exempt from the ban. The eSafety Authority also confirmed that Pinterest is not included, while leaving the door open for other platforms to potentially comply later.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant explained to the Senate that it is up to the platforms themselves to assess their need to comply. For example, Blue Sky, an alternative to X, was categorized as a "very low risk" platform due to its relatively small Australian user base of around 50,000 and its limited number of young users.
If a service is deemed to have a large Australian audience, it may be required to conduct a self-assessment and seek clarification from the eSafety Authority, with this list potentially expanding over time.
How will age verification work on social media?
The final decision regarding age verification rests with the platforms themselves, provided that ID verification isn't the only method used. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, hasn't yet revealed its plans to identify users believed to be under 16, suggesting that this might alert teenagers to avoid being banned.
Snapchat will rely on behavioral cues and users' birthdates to identify those under 16. TikTok has adopted a "layered approach" combining technology and human review to detect and delete accounts that have entered an incorrect birthdate.
Kik will employ a similar approach, using K-ID technology to ensure age accuracy. YouTube will rely on the age associated with a Google account and other indicators, while continuing to explore ways to ensure proper verification. The remaining platforms have yet to announce their plans for implementing age verification checks.
Will they delete all my social media accounts if I am under the age of sixteen?
Regarding Facebook and Instagram, teenagers will be able to download all their photos and messages, with the option to suspend their accounts until they turn 16 or delete them permanently. TikTok also announced the option to deactivate or delete an account, archive content, and enter an email address to receive a reminder when they reach the appropriate age to re-register.
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In October, Snapchat told a Senate inquiry that it would allow users to download their photos and messages and temporarily deactivate ("freeze") their accounts until they prove they are over 16, with the option to reactivate later. Snapchat explained that this measure would affect approximately 440,000 users in Australia aged 13 to 15.
On YouTube, teenagers will be able to regain access to their accounts upon turning 16 without losing their content, and they will be able to download or delete content before it is closed. The other platforms have not yet announced their policies for teenagers' accounts.
I am over 16 years old, but it appears to me that I am younger than that. How can I appeal?
The government has confirmed that individuals over 16 who were mistakenly categorized as under 16 will be required to appeal. On the Meta platform, this is done through a facial age assessment using the "YouTube" technology, which requires users to record a selfie video for age estimation, or by providing official government-issued identification.
Snapchat, for its part, announced that users incorrectly categorized as under 16 can appeal by presenting a bank card, official identification such as a passport or driver's license, or a selfie used for age estimation using "K-ID" technology.
TikTok will offer several appeal methods, including facial age estimation via the "YouTube" method, providing a credit card authorization, or submitting a valid government-issued ID.
Was the ban on social media sites delayed?
New South Wales Liberal MP John Ruddick filed a Supreme Court challenge based on freedom of political expression. The case is still pending. Meanwhile, a parliamentary committee investigating the age guarantee recommended postponing the legislation for six months until June 2026, but Labor senators opposed this delay in a report led by the Greens. Despite this, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Communications have remained firm on the timing of the ban.
For their part, Meta, TikTok, Snap, YouTube, Twitch, and Kik have all confirmed their full commitment to implementing the ban.
Will the ban be implemented on December 10th?
The government has confirmed that the ban should not be expected to be fully effective from day one, and that there will be no immediate penalties for non-compliant platforms. “We don’t expect all accounts belonging to children under 16 to disappear automatically or suddenly on December 10,” said eSafety Commissioner Inman Grant in December.
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She added: “There will be differences between platforms. Some will implement the ban more quickly and effectively, while others may need time to apply it across their larger systems. We will be monitoring the situation closely, but we will take a phased approach focused on risks and outcomes, prioritizing platforms with the largest proportion of underage users.”
