Social Media Ban in Australia

In Australia, the federal law Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 was passed in November 2024 to impose a minimum age of 16 years for children to hold accounts on certain social-media platforms.

Here are the key details:

✅ What the law covers

• Platforms whose sole or primary purpose is enabling social interaction (two or more users), allows linking/interacting between users, and user-posted content.
• Major platforms named include:
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
  • X (formerly Twitter)
  • Reddit
  • YouTube (was originally proposed to be exempt but later confirmed included)
• If a platform allows under-16s to have accounts without taking “reasonable steps” to prevent it, the company may face civil penalties of up to A$49.5 million.

❗ What this means practically

• From around 10 December 2025, platforms must have in place mechanisms to stop children under 16 from opening accounts or continuing to hold accounts.
• The law does not, at present, impose penalties on the children or their parents for using the platforms; the liability is on the platforms.
• Platforms will still have to figure out age verification / age-assurance methods; how exactly they’ll do it is still under development.
• Some platforms or services may be exempt (e.g., purely educational or health-related services).