Australia outlines guidelines for social media age ban
As the social media age ban will take effect on 10 December 2025, the guidance sets the steps social media companies need to take to ensure compliance.
Australia has released its regulatory guidance for the incoming social media age restriction law, which takes effect on December 10. Users under 16 will be barred from holding accounts on most major platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
The new guidance details what are considered ‘reasonable steps’ for compliance. Platforms must detect and remove underage accounts, communicating clearly with affected users. It remains uncertain whether removed accounts will have their content deleted or if they can be reactivated once the user turns 16.
Platforms are also expected to block attempts to re-register, including the use of VPNs or other workarounds. Companies are encouraged to implement a multi-step age verification process and provide users with a range of options, rather than relying solely on government-issued identification.
Blanket age verification won’t be required, nor will platforms need to store personal data from verification processes. Instead, companies must demonstrate effectiveness through system-level records. Existing data, such as an account’s creation date, may be used to estimate age.
Under-16s will still be able to view content without logging in, for example, watching YouTube videos in a browser. However, shared access to adult accounts on family devices could present enforcement challenges.
Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that there is ‘no excuse for non-compliance.’ Each platform must now develop its own strategy to meet the law’s requirements ahead of the fast-approaching deadline.
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