Australia released final regulatory guidance for its social media age restrictions taking effect December 10, 2025, requiring platforms to prevent users under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts.
The guidance shows companies must implement age assurance systems but won’t require universal age verification, instead relying on existing data where possible. Platforms face penalties up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.
The ban covers Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit, and YouTube. Companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage access and provide review mechanisms for users incorrectly restricted.
Security experts predict a surge in VPN usage similar to the UK’s 6,430% increase when similar laws were implemented. The Australian Human Rights Commission has raised concerns about technological workarounds like VPNs and false age declarations potentially undermining the ban’s effectiveness.
Platforms will need to prevent re-registration and circumvention by underage users whose accounts have been deactivated. Under-16s will still be able to view social media content without logging into accounts, such as watching YouTube in a web browser.
Australian families should expect platform changes by December 10, with varying age verification approaches across different social media services.
Source: The Conversation
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