Key facts
- Australia's social media age restrictions for under-16s took effect in December 2025.
- The law prohibits prescribed platforms from offering accounts to Australians under 16.
- Platforms are legally responsible for preventing under-16s from holding accounts.
- Initial data shows a decrease in account ownership, but significant continued access.
- At least 4.7 million accounts were removed or restricted after implementation.
- Parental surveys indicate mixed impacts on children's social connection and presence.
Australia's implementation of social media age restrictions for individuals under 16 in December 2025 has initiated a global trend, with countries in Europe and Asia considering or enacting similar measures. This represents a significant regulatory shift for tech platforms, comparable to the EU's 2018 GDPR implementation.
The law stems from concerns over addictive platform design, negative mental health impacts on adolescents, cyber bullying, harmful content, and unwanted adult contact. While research acknowledges adolescent vulnerability, the direct link between an age ban and reduced mental health issues remains under examination.
The legislation prohibits prescribed platforms from offering accounts to Australians under 16 and requires them to implement reasonable age verification measures. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X are currently subject to these rules. The law places legal responsibility on the platforms, not on children or their parents, and does not ban access to public content or cover all online services.
Initial impacts indicate a clear decline in account ownership among under-16s, though substantial continued access persists. A parent survey found 31% of children still had at least one social media account post-implementation, down from 49% prior. In the months following the ban, over 4.7 million accounts were removed, deactivated, or restricted. Data from Qustodio showed a roughly 40% drop in monthly Snapchat usage among 13- to 15-year-olds, while YouTube usage saw only a 3% decrease, partly because accounts are not always required for access.
Concerns about the rushed passage of the legislation were raised by social media platforms, citing the regulator's incomplete trials of age assurance technologies. Amendments are being considered to strengthen penalties for noncompliance. Studies on VPN usage to circumvent verification found it to be rare, with self-declaration being the most common method. Parental feedback is divided, with some noting improved presence and relationships, while others report reduced social connection and creativity.
Officials suggest the policy may have the most significant impact on younger children, helping them develop different habits. Privacy remains a consideration, with platforms still bound by the Privacy Act regarding data collection, use, and disclosure. Early findings from the eSafety Commissioner suggest a shift in expectations around social media use among some children.