Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Australia’s Under‑16 Social Media Ban Takes Effect Dec. 10 as Platforms Pledge Compliance

Polling shows strong approval coupled with skepticism that companies can truly block under‑16s.

Overview

  • Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch and Kick say they will comply, and Meta has begun removing under‑age accounts to meet the law’s ‘reasonable steps’ test with penalties up to A$49.5 million.
  • The eSafety Commissioner confirmed the ban covers TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Kick and Twitch, with the list subject to expansion.
  • A High Court challenge to the law has been filed, with the hearing pushed to February, leaving the ban in force as enforcement begins.
  • The government backed a $22.5 million age‑assurance trial to guide verification methods, which remain under development and raise accuracy and privacy questions.
  • New polling finds roughly two‑thirds of voters support the policy, yet only about a third of parents plan to fully enforce it as families brace for workarounds and shifts to services not currently covered.