Australia's Social Media Ban for Under-16s, Explained
Australia became the first country to set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts. What the law requires, and the debate around it.
Australia has taken one of the world's boldest steps on children's online safety: a legal minimum age of 16 for holding accounts on major social media platforms.
What the law says
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act was passed by Parliament in November 2024 and took effect on 10 December 2025. It requires designated social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from having accounts.
Who is responsible
The obligation falls on platforms, not on parents or children. Companies that fail to take reasonable steps face fines of up to A$49.5 million. The eSafety Commissioner oversees enforcement.
The arguments for
Supporters point to concerns about cyberbullying, harmful content, addictive design and the effects of heavy social media use on young people's mental health, and say setting a clear age line helps parents.
The arguments against
Critics question how accurately age can be checked without compromising privacy, warn that teenagers may move to less regulated spaces, and argue that some young people rely on online communities for support.
A test case for the world
Governments from Europe to Asia are watching closely. How well the ban works in practice will shape whether other countries follow Australia's lead.
