Australia pushes safe social media for under-16 users

Australia is taking a strong step to protect teenagers online. On Tuesday, the government asked social media companies to use “minimally invasive” ways to check the age of users. This comes after Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media use for children under 16 years of age. The new law is set to start from December 10, 2025.

The country’s internet safety watchdog, eSafety, has suggested methods that are simple and gentle for users. These methods may include using artificial intelligence (AI) and studying user behaviour to figure out their age. The goal is to make sure teens are safe online without creating unnecessary problems for adults who use these platforms.

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What the New Law Means

Australia’s law, passed in November 2024, is historic because it will make it illegal for children under 16 to use social media platforms. Social media companies now have one year to follow this law. They need to ensure that accounts belonging to underage users are deactivated by December 10, 2025.

Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells explained the reasoning behind this new law. She said that young people are spending a lot of time on social media, and this can affect their mental health. She urged social media companies to take “reasonable steps” to find and deactivate accounts of users who are underage. These steps should also prevent children from creating new accounts after being blocked.

“We cannot control the ocean, but we can police the sharks,” Wells told reporters. This statement means that while it’s impossible to monitor everything online, the government expects social media companies to take responsibility for keeping children safe.

eSafety’s Guidance for Platforms

The eSafety Commission has recommended that social media companies use the most “minimally invasive techniques” available to check the age of users. Companies do not need to ask everyone to verify their age, which could be annoying for adult users. Instead, they can use existing data to figure out if someone is underage.

Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, explained that social media platforms already have very precise technology. “We know that they have the targeting technology to do this,” she said. “They can target us with deadly precision when it comes to advertising, certainly they can do this around the age of a child.”

In simple words, if social media companies can use advanced tools to target users with ads, they also have the tools to identify users’ age. This ensures that teens are protected without adults facing any disruption while using these platforms.

Social Media Platforms Under the Law

The law applies to all major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Initially, YouTube was exempted from the ban, which caused complaints from other platforms. In July, eSafety extended the ban to include YouTube as well.

So far, Google (which owns YouTube) and Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram) have not publicly commented on how they will implement these changes. However, the government expects these companies to comply because they have the resources and technology to do so.

Teen Social Media Usage in Australia

According to a report from eSafety in February 2025, 95 percent of teenagers aged 13 to 15 had used at least one social media platform since January 2024. The report also warned that the actual number could be even higher, showing how widespread social media use is among teens.

This high level of usage has raised concerns about the mental health of young people. Studies have shown that social media can affect self-esteem, sleep patterns, and emotional wellbeing. By restricting access to under-16 users, Australia hopes to reduce these risks.

Steps for Compliance

The government is clear that there will be no excuse for non-compliance. Social media platforms are among the world’s largest and most well-funded companies, which means they have the ability to follow the rules.

Platforms are expected to:

• Use minimally invasive age-checking methods.

• Identify and deactivate accounts of underage users.

• Prevent re-registration by users who are blocked.

• Provide an accessible system for complaints from users or parents.

These steps are meant to balance safety for teenagers while keeping social media convenient for adults.

Global Attention

Australia’s move is being closely watched by governments and tech companies around the world. If successful, other countries may follow Australia’s lead to create stricter rules for children online.

The law also highlights the growing concern about children’s mental health and safety in the digital world. While social media offers entertainment and connection, it can also expose young users to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and other risks.

What This Means for Parents

For parents, the new law provides some reassurance that children under 16 will face fewer risks online. Parents may need to help their children find alternative ways to connect and communicate, such as using offline activities or age-appropriate digital platforms.

Parents are also encouraged to discuss online safety with their children and monitor their online activities carefully. This law is not meant to replace parental guidance but to support it.

Challenges Ahead

Implementing the law may not be easy. Social media companies will need to develop tools to identify underage users without violating adult privacy. AI and behavioral analysis can help, but some critics worry about accuracy and privacy issues.

The government is aware of these challenges and hopes that collaboration with social media firms will lead to effective solutions. Julie Inman Grant emphasized that the techniques should be minimally invasive, meaning they should protect teenagers without being harsh or intrusive.

Australia is leading the way in making social media safer for teenagers. By using gentle, AI-based techniques to check age and enforce the under-16 ban, the country aims to protect children’s mental health and wellbeing.

The law gives social media companies clear guidance on their responsibilities and a deadline to follow the rules. It also sends a message to the rest of the world that the safety of children online is a priority.

As December 10, 2025, approaches, governments, parents, and tech firms will all be watching closely to see how this world-first social media ban works in practice.

This step by Australia may set a global example, showing that with careful planning, technology can be used to protect children while keeping social media accessible and safe for adults.