Australia will enforce a new law on December 10 banning children under 16 from using several major social media platforms. The government added Reddit and livestreaming service Kick to the list of restricted platforms, joining Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed that all platforms must delete accounts belonging to users under 16. “We have met with several companies this month to make clear there is no excuse for failing to enforce this law,” Wells said. She warned that platforms ignoring the rule could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million).
“Tech companies use advanced systems to target children,” Wells said. “We are simply asking them to use the same tools to protect kids online.”
Enforcement and Oversight Under the New Law
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, will oversee enforcement of the new age restriction. She said the list of restricted platforms would evolve as new digital services emerge. According to a government statement, these nine platforms share one defining feature: their “primary or significant purpose is enabling online social interaction.”
Inman Grant plans to collaborate with researchers to measure the effects of the ban. “We will study whether children sleep more, interact more in person, or become more physically active,” she said. “We’ll also watch for unintended consequences and collect evidence so other nations can learn from Australia’s experience.”
The move has positioned Australia as a global leader in regulating children’s access to social media.
Global Praise and Ongoing Debate
Australia’s decision has drawn international attention and praise from several governments. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a UN forum that she was “inspired” by Australia’s “common-sense” approach. Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, said her country would “closely observe” the rollout as it explores similar measures.
However, critics warn that verifying users’ ages could compromise privacy for everyone. More than 140 academics in Australia and abroad signed an open letter last year calling the ban “too blunt an instrument” to manage online risks effectively.
Minister Wells assured the public that the government aims to protect both child safety and personal privacy. “We will ensure the platforms respect user data while enforcing this law,” she said.
Australia’s new social media age ban marks a bold experiment in online safety — one that may soon shape policies beyond its borders.
