Australia has officially implemented a world-first ban on social media accounts for users under 16, impacting millions of children and teenagers nationwide. Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch, and TikTok began removing accounts held by users below the age threshold and preventing them from creating new ones starting Wednesday. Non-compliance with the law carries fines of up to $49.5 million. Early reports indicate challenges in enforcement, with some users reportedly bypassing facial age verification systems, though government officials have noted that initial imperfections are expected.
While all major platforms except X had confirmed compliance, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated that discussions with X are ongoing to clarify their approach. Bluesky, an alternative to X, also announced it would restrict under-16 users, despite being assessed as low risk due to a relatively small Australian user base of 50,000. Over recent weeks, many children have undergone age assurance checks, swapped phone numbers, and prepared for account deactivation. Kieran Donovan, Australian chief executive and co-founder of age verification service k-ID, reported that hundreds of thousands of age checks have been conducted recently, with Snapchat among the platforms utilizing the service.
Reactions from parents have been mixed. Some expressed concern over potential social exclusion, citing cases where children identified as under 16 were removed from platforms while their peers appeared to have passed age verification as adults. Others described the ban as forcing them to teach their children methods to bypass age restrictions, including using VPNs and creating adult accounts on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Conversely, some parents welcomed the restrictions, noting that social media addiction among teenagers made the policy a supportive framework to manage screen time.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that while the law may not be flawless initially, it establishes a clear standard similar to the legal drinking age of 18, which the society recognizes as beneficial for individuals and the community. Polling shows strong public support, with around two-thirds of voters favoring raising the minimum age for social media to 16. Opposition leaders have voiced concern, despite previously supporting the legislation through parliament.
The ban has attracted international attention, with countries including Malaysia, Denmark, and Norway exploring similar measures. The European Union recently passed a resolution indicating adoption of comparable restrictions, and British government officials are monitoring Australia’s approach closely. Inman Grant indicated that notices would be sent to platforms to review progress on enforcement, highlighting ongoing oversight of the policy’s implementation.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
