In a groundbreaking move to safeguard youth from digital risks, the Australian government has mandated a comprehensive social media prohibition for all citizens under sixteen years of age. Effective December 10, 2025, this sweeping regulation requires major platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, X, Threads, and Kick—to deactivate accounts belonging to minors below the specified age threshold.
Platform operators must comply with stringent reporting protocols, submitting monthly documentation detailing the number of underage accounts terminated. Non-compliance carries severe financial penalties, with fines reaching up to 50 million Australian dollars for violations. The Australian eSafety Commissioner will formally issue enforcement notices to social media companies on December 11, initiating the compliance verification process.
Communications Minister Anika Wells defended the policy, citing mounting evidence of platforms’ inadequate protection of younger users. While acknowledging the technical complexities of age verification systems, Wells emphasized that systemic violations would trigger substantial financial consequences.
The policy has drawn mixed reactions from technology corporations. YouTube, operated by Google, expressed strong opposition, stating the measure would ultimately decrease safety for Australian youth on their platform. Conversely, Meta announced proactive measures to identify and remove suspected underage accounts beginning December 7.
Australia’s decisive action has generated international attention, with several nations considering similar age restrictions. Malaysia has announced plans to implement comparable social media prohibitions for users under sixteen within the coming year. European nations are pursuing alternative approaches: France mandates age verification and parental consent for users under fifteen, Denmark is preparing restrictions for those under fifteen, and Italy requires parental authorization for social media access by individuals under fourteen.