Australia Passes World-First Social Media Ban for Under-16s

In November 2024, Australia passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, establishing a world-first ban on social media for children under 16 years of age. The law places the onus on social media platforms — not parents or children — to implement age verification. The eSafety Commissioner was tasked with determining the age assurance technology standard, with implementation expected by late 2025. Platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and X must implement systemic age verification or face fines up to AUD 49.5 million per violation.

• World-first ban on social media for children under 16
• Responsibility placed on platforms, not parents or children, to verify age
• eSafety Commissioner developing age assurance technology standards
• Fines up to AUD 49.5 million per violation for non-compliant platforms
• Applies to Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, X, and others
• No exemptions for parental consent