Australia has set a new global benchmark in online regulation, enforcing a nationwide social media age ban that blocks anyone under 16 from holding an account. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 reflects rising concern over online harm and the influence of algorithmic feeds on younger users, pushing the country into a bold new digital era.
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The core rule is simple. Children under 16 cannot legally maintain accounts on major social media platforms. There is no grace period. Accounts held yesterday must be deleted or suspended today if the user has not crossed the age threshold. Lawmakers wanted a clean shift rather than a gradual phase out, sealing off the possibility of outdated accounts slipping through cracks in the system.
Responsibility sits squarely with the platforms. Young users who find workarounds and parents who allow it face no penalties. Instead, companies risk fines of up to AUD 49.5 million for systemic failures to enforce the age limit. The law does not mandate any single verification tool. It only requires that platforms demonstrate strong and reasonable steps to ensure users meet the minimum age. Several have already begun deploying AI systems that estimate age through facial cues without storing identity. Others rely on third party token based verification that confirms age privately.
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The legislation focuses on algorithm driven platforms that encourage continuous scrolling. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick fall squarely in the banned category for under 16s. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger remain legal. Educational platforms, gaming services such as Roblox, and mental health support spaces are exempt. YouTube occupies a middle ground. Under 16s cannot hold accounts that let them upload or comment, but they can still watch videos or use YouTube Kids.
One of the strongest pillars of the Act is its privacy guardrail. Platforms cannot force users to upload a Digital ID and must offer non governmental alternatives to confirm age. Any verification data must be deleted immediately and cannot be used for profiling or advertising. The aim is to prevent new safety rules from becoming surveillance tools.
The Act includes a compulsory independent review within two years. This assessment will examine whether the ban keeps young people safer, whether companies are meeting their obligations, and whether privacy promises are being upheld. The findings will guide how Australia adapts its approach as the digital environment continues to evolve.
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