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Ishita Roy

Australia Social Media Ban Explained: Why Government Plans to Restrict Accounts of Under-16s

Anyone below the age of 16 in Australia is now banned from using social media services. These platforms include TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads. The law now says that anyone under 16 cannot make new social media accounts and their existing accounts will be deactivated. This is the first of its kind banned and is also being watched by other countries. 

<h2>What Is The Reason Behind The Under-16 <span rel="noindex">Social Media Ban</span>?</h2>

To protect the <span>mental health</span> of children is the main reason behind the ban. Furthermore, the government says that it will also reduce the negative impact of social media's "design features that encourage [young people] to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing". A government study which was commissioned in 2025 found that 96% of children aged 10 to 15 used social media, and that seven out of 10 of them were exposed to harmful content. These content were misogynistic and violent in its nature, furthermore, content promoted eating disorders and suicide.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ai-therapy-gone-wrong-psychiatrist-reveals-how-chatbots-are-failing-vulnerable-teens-article-151929072" data-type="tilCustomLink">AI Therapy Gone Wrong: Psychiatrist Reveals How Chatbots Are Failing Vulnerable Teens</a> 

1 in 7 also reported experiencing grooming-type behavior from adults or older children. More than half said that they were also victim of cyberbullying. The ban right now expands over platforms and apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch. 

The government laid down three categories, under which the ban has been considered for the apps, these criteria are: 

<ul><li>whether the platform’s primary or substantial purpose is to enable online social interaction between two or more users</li><li>whether users can interact with some or all other users on the platform</li><li>whether users are able to post or share content</li></ul>

YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp are not covered under this rule as they do not fit those criteria. While anyone under 16 will be still able to watch most of the content without logging in, however, they cannot have an account on it. Critics are urging the government to widen the ban to include online gaming platforms such as Roblox and Discord, which are currently not covered.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-nicki-minaj-left-russian-influencer-with-a-fractured-spine-why-social-media-challenges-are-detrimental-to-your-health-article-152417885" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why Social Media Trends Could Be Detrimental To Your Health?</a>

<h2>Are There Any Checks And Balances On The Ban?</h2>

The law notes that children and parents will not be punished for infringing the ban, instead, social media companies will face fines of up to A$49.5m, which is equivalent of US$32m for serious or repeated breaches. The government has said that these companies must take 'reasonable steps' to keep kids off the platforms. These 'reasonable steps' include asking for government IDs, face or voice, or "age interference" that analyzes online behavior and interactions to estimate a person's age. Platforms have been advised against relying on users self-certifying or parents vouching for their children. Meta, which own Facebook, Instagram and Threads have started to close teen accounts from December 4 onwards. Snapchat will also be using bank account, photo ID or selfies for verification.

However, government reports have found facial assessment technology to be least reliable for teenagers. Some critics have also raised their concerns on potential fines. Some have also pointed out other platforms which involves gaming platforms, or <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ai-therapy-gone-wrong-psychiatrist-reveals-how-chatbots-are-failing-vulnerable-teens-article-151929072" data-type="tilCustomLink">AI chatbots</a> that have encouraged children to kill themselves and indulged in 'sensual' conversations with minors.

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Anyone below the age of 16 in Australia is now banned from using social media services. These platforms include TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads. The law now says that anyone under 16 cannot make new social media accounts and their existing accounts will be deactivated. This is the first of its kind banned and is also being watched by other countries. What Is The Reason Behind The Under-16 Social Media Ban?To protect the mental health of children is the main reason behind the ban. Furthermore, the government says that it will also reduce the negative impact of social media's "design features that encourage [young people] to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing". A government study which was commissioned in 2025 found that 96% of children aged 10 to 15 used social media, and that seven out of 10 of them were exposed to harmful content. These content were misogynistic and violent in its nature, furthermore, content promoted eating disorders and suicide.Read: AI Therapy Gone Wrong: Psychiatrist Reveals How Chatbots Are Failing Vulnerable Teens 1 in 7 also reported experiencing grooming-type behavior from adults or older children. More than half said that they were also victim of cyberbullying. The ban right now expands over platforms and apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch. The government laid down three categories, under which the ban has been considered for the apps, these criteria are: whether the platform’s primary or substantial purpose is to enable online social interaction between two or more userswhether users can interact with some or all other users on the platformwhether users are able to post or share contentYouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp are not covered under this rule as they do not fit those criteria. While anyone under 16 will be still able to watch most of the content without logging in, however, they cannot have an account on it. Critics are urging the government to widen the ban to include online gaming platforms such as Roblox and Discord, which are currently not covered.Also Read: Why Social Media Trends Could Be Detrimental To Your Health?Are There Any Checks And Balances On The Ban?The law notes that children and parents will not be punished for infringing the ban, instead, social media companies will face fines of up to A$49.5m, which is equivalent of US$32m for serious or repeated breaches. The government has said that these companies must take 'reasonable steps' to keep kids off the platforms. These 'reasonable steps' include asking for government IDs, face or voice, or "age interference" that analyzes online behavior and interactions to estimate a person's age. Platforms have been advised against relying on users self-certifying or parents vouching for their children. Meta, which own Facebook, Instagram and Threads have started to close teen accounts from December 4 onwards. Snapchat will also be using bank account, photo ID or selfies for verification.However, government reports have found facial assessment technology to be least reliable for teenagers. Some critics have also raised their concerns on potential fines. Some have also pointed out other platforms which involves gaming platforms, or AI chatbots that have encouraged children to kill themselves and indulged in 'sensual' conversations with minors.

australia social media ban explained: why government plans to restrict accounts of under-16s

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