Overview
- Effective since December 10, under-16s are barred from creating or keeping accounts on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit, with exceptions for services such as YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp, and passive viewing without an account remains allowed.
- Platforms must take “reasonable measures” to verify ages and disable underage profiles or face penalties up to A$49.5 million.
- TikTok says it will block under-16 accounts and allow appeals using ID, facial images or credit-card authorization; X confirms compliance; Reddit has filed a High Court challenge citing political-communication rights and privacy concerns.
- Teams at institutions including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Monash University have started baseline surveys and plan follow-ups to measure impacts on wellbeing, family dynamics and civic learning.
- Other governments are weighing similar steps, with Denmark advancing a ban and EU debates ongoing, as analysts flag potential advertising revenue hits and child-rights groups promote education-focused alternatives.