Social Media Minimum Age Law

Social Media Minimum Age Law in Australia: active, effective December 10, 2025. Applies to Age-restricted social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, and Kick. Age range: Under 16. Platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent chil

Key facts

Key requirements

• Platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts
• Platforms must implement age assurance; self-declaration alone is not sufficient
• No penalties for children or parents who violate the ban
• Responsibility falls entirely on social media companies
• Penalties up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for non-compliance; government proposed doubling in July 2026

Notes

World's first national social media age ban. By mid-January 2026 more than 4.7 million under-16 accounts had been deactivated or restricted. eSafety's March 2026 compliance report flagged weak practices at Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube (e.g. letting self-declared under-16s revise their age via low-confidence facial estimation) and moved to an enforcement stance, issuing 23 information notices to 10 platforms. A July 2026 government bill to expand eSafety powers and double penalties was referred to a Senate inquiry reporting August 25, 2026.

Frequently asked

What does Social Media Minimum Age Law require?

Platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts Platforms must implement age assurance; self-declaration alone is not sufficient No penalties for children or parents who violate the ban Responsibility falls entirely on social media companies Penalties up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for non-compliance; government proposed doubling in July 2026

Who must comply with Social Media Minimum Age Law in Australia?

Age-restricted social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, and Kick

When does Social Media Minimum Age Law take effect and what is its status?

Effective December 10, 2025. Current status: active. World's first national social media age ban. By mid-January 2026 more than 4.7 million under-16 accounts had been deactivated or restricted. eSafety's March 2026 compliance report flagged weak practices at Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube (e.g. letting self-declared under-16s revise their age via low-confidence facial estimation) and moved to an enforcement stance, issuing 23 information notices to 10 platforms. A July 2026 government bill to expand eSafety powers and double penalties was referred to a Senate inquiry reporting August 25, 2026.

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