Australia will enforce a sweeping ban preventing children under 16 from using major social media platforms starting December 10. The government added Reddit and livestreaming platform Kick to the list, joining Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Threads, X, and YouTube.
Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed that all nine platforms must remove underage users’ accounts or face heavy penalties. Companies that fail to take reasonable action could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million).
“We have met with several platforms to make clear there is no excuse for ignoring this law,” Wells told reporters in Canberra. “These companies use advanced technology to target children. We are demanding they use that same technology to protect them.”
eSafety Chief Promises Ongoing Oversight
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who will enforce the ban, said the list of restricted platforms will change as new technologies emerge. The government defined the targeted platforms as those whose main purpose is to enable online social interaction.
Inman Grant said she will collaborate with researchers to study the impact of the law. “We’ll measure whether children sleep more, interact differently, or become more active,” she said. “We’ll also watch for unintended consequences and share findings so other nations can learn from Australia’s experience.”
The move makes Australia the first country to legally compel social media companies to block young users at a national level.
Global Reactions and Growing Debate
Australia’s decision has drawn international attention. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the policy at a United Nations forum in New York, calling it “a common-sense step” toward protecting children online. Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, said her government plans to observe Australia’s progress closely as it explores similar protections.
Critics, however, warn that enforcing age verification could threaten privacy for all users. More than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter last year, describing the policy as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”
Wells defended the measure, promising that the government will protect personal data while ensuring online safety. “We’re determined to safeguard children without compromising privacy,” she said. “The goal is simple — keep kids safe where they spend the most time.”
