WHY:

This change is designed to protect young people from the risks of harm from social media in two ways:

content that’s age inappropriate
features like constant notifications, stories that disappear and recommended ‘For You’ content which encourage users to stay on screens longer.

WHAT:

You may hear this new law called a few different names:

Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) obligation
Under 16’s social media ban

In short, it is a new minimum age rule for people in Australia to be able to have and keep a social media account.

WHY:

The obligation is on the platform providers to introduce systems and processes to ensure that people under the minimum age cannot created and keep a social media account.

Failure to take reasonable steps could result in court-imposed fines.

What to expect as a under 16 user

You'll be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn't require a login

You can stay connected online with a range of messaging apps and platforms which are not age-restricted

This law does not come with penalties or fines for the under-16s, their parents, guardians or carers.

If you currently hold an account, it may be removed or permanently deleted by the platform.

eSafety is encouraging users under the age of 16 to save, download or export any data and content you would like to keep. It has been recommended that underage users deactivate their accounts ahead of the ban, and reactivate then once they are 16 years old.

Here is the list of the sites and apps that have age restrictions as of 10 Dec 2025

Facebook
Instagram
Kick
Reddit
Snapchat
Threads
TikTok
Twitch
X
YouTube

This list is current as at 21 November 2025

WHAT’s NEXT

The Government is consulting with industry and consumer representatives, including ACCAN, on a proposed Digital Duty of Care.

The objective is for online services to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harms, shifting more responsibility from users to the platforms themselves.

This reform follows recommendations from the Online Safety Act review, led by ACCAN Deputy Chairperson Delia Rickard. (or link to her bio on our website: Delia Rickard PSM | ACCAN

This framework will complement the protections of the Social Media Minimum Age obligation, which are applied only to age-restricted social media platforms.

ACCAN has consistently called for stronger platform responsibility, and this consultation is an important opportunity for consumers to have their say. Submissions are open via an online survey until 7 December 2025.

The under-16’s social media ban

From 10 December, children under the age of 16 will no longer be able to hold accounts on social media platforms including: Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming changes.

So why is this all happening?

Australia's world-first social media age restriction comes into effect from 10 December 2025.

Background: on 29 November 2024, legislation to enact the ban passed both houses of Parliament. The e-Safety Commissioner is charged with overseeing the implementation and is informing consumers of the changes.

Alongside an overwhelming majority (over 70%) of Australians, ACCAN has strongly welcomed the social media ban as a decisive step which empowers parents navigating the challenges of raising children in a digital world.

“Australia is showing leadership by taking action, and policymakers and parents overseas are looking to us for inspiration. This is a practical, considered move that many around the world are watching, and that we should be proud of.”

-Carol Bennett, July 2025