What minimum age did Australia set for its social media ban that went into effect in December 2025?

Australia implemented a significant change to its online landscape on December 10, 2025, by setting a minimum age of 16 for access to certain social media platforms. This measure requires age-restricted social media services to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under this age from creating or maintaining accounts. The focus of this legislation is on the platforms themselves, holding them accountable for compliance rather than penalizing individual young users or their parents.

This "world-first" initiative was driven by a growing concern for the mental health and well-being of young Australians. The government aimed to shield children from the various pressures and risks associated with social media, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and the addictive design features that encourage excessive screen time. By delaying access, the intent is to provide young people with more time to develop crucial social, emotional, and digital skills before navigating complex online environments.

The law applies to major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick, among others, with penalties for non-compliance reaching up to $50 million AUD for corporations. However, it is not a blanket ban on all online interaction; young people can still view publicly available content without logging in and continue to use many messaging apps and online gaming services, which are typically exempt from these new age restrictions. The introduction of this law has garnered international attention, sparking discussions globally about how to best protect youth in the digital age.