Australia bans social media for under-16s as platforms face $33M fines

Social media platforms will be required to remove accounts of children under 16 and report monthly on these actions once Australia enforces its new age limit next week, Communications Minister Anika Wells said Wednesday.

From Dec. 10, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and recently added Twitch will face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for failing to take “reasonable steps” to remove underage accounts.

The eSafety Commissioner will issue notices on Dec. 11 requesting details of accounts removed and continue monthly updates for six months. Wells acknowledged that age verification may take time but warned that systemic breaches could attract maximum fines.

The move follows growing concerns over online grooming, cyberbullying and mental health issues among children under 16, alongside criticism that voluntary platform safeguards have been ineffective. Previously, platforms relied on self-declared ages typically 13 and above leaving many children able to bypass restrictions. Enforcement was inconsistent, and underage accounts were only occasionally removed when reported or detected by automated systems.

In response to Australia’s new social media law, companies are taking different steps. Google announced that all Australians under 16 will be signed out of YouTube from Dec. 10, losing account-based features like playlists, subscriptions, and comments. They will not have access to regular YouTube videos but can still use YouTube Kids, designed for younger viewers. Google will verify ages using account-linked data and other signals but criticised the law as rushed and unlikely to improve safety significantly.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, will start removing suspected underage users from Thursday. Users aged 16 or older who are mistakenly removed can prove their age using Yoti, a digital ID verification service that allows verification via a government-issued ID or video selfie, enabling them to regain access.

The Sydney-based Digital Freedom Project has challenged the law, seeking a High Court injunction. The group argues the law is invasive and disproportionate, raises privacy and data security risks, and gives regulators excessive power. Age-verification systems collecting IDs or biometrics could be misused or breached, while some minors and vulnerable users may be excluded from platforms due to verification challenges.

Wells defended the legislation, noting parental pressure for stronger safeguards. She added that other countries including Malaysia, the European Commission, France, Denmark, Greece, Romania, and New Zealand are exploring similar age limits.

The law represents a significant step in Australia’s bid to protect children online, but it also highlights tensions between child safety, privacy, and digital rights as platforms adapt to stricter enforcement.