Australia to ban social media for under 16s starting December 10, 2025

Starting December 10, 2025, Australia will enforce a groundbreaking law that prohibits children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million.

The law applies to major platforms including Meta (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, and Snapchat, all of which have confirmed they will begin notifying and removing underage users—even though they disagree with the legislation.

According to internal data: Meta identified over 450,000 underage users in Australia, Snapchat reported 440,000, TikTok found 200,000

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These platforms will begin alerting users under 16 to delete their accounts or store their data until they reach the legal age. To enforce the law, companies will use:

Behavior tracking systems to monitor user activity, Third-party age verification tools to assess user eligibility

These measures aim to identify and restrict access for underage users without requiring invasive personal data.

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While agreeing to comply, Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat have expressed concerns that the law could push young users toward unregulated platforms, potentially exposing them to greater risks. They also warn that disconnecting youth from digital communities may negatively impact their social development and mental health.

“We appreciate the intent behind the law, but it may have unintended consequences,” said Meta’s policy lead for Australia and New Zealand, Mia Garlick.

Australia’s move could set a precedent for other countries grappling with how to balance child safety and digital access. The law is part of a broader push to hold tech companies accountable for the well-being of young users.

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