Aussie Kids Face New Social Media Ban: Understanding the Impact and Future Alternatives

Today, Australia steps into the global spotlight as it becomes the first country to implement age restrictions on social media usage.

As of midnight, Australians under the age of 16 have been barred from accessing social media platforms. So, what does this mean moving forward?

In essence, young Australians can no longer maintain accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, X, YouTube, Twitch, and Kick.

Communications Minister Anika Wells anticipates that children across the nation will attempt to bypass these restrictions.

The eSafety Commission will be vigilant in monitoring any platforms that young people might switch to and will enforce penalties for any breaches of the new rules.

Here’s a detailed overview of the implications and next steps following the implementation of this ban.

What are the penalties for children under 16?

The federal government acknowledges that the ban will not be “100 per cent effective” in preventing children under 16 from accessing restricted social media platforms and that they will find their ways around it.

“Some of that is going to happen, but that’s what teenagers do,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.

The onus, however, lies on social media platforms and not children who bypass the rules.

There is no penalty for children under 16 who access restricted social media platforms, or their parents or guardians.

The eSafety Commission said the ban is about “protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them”.

What are the penalties for social media platforms?

Platforms face hefty penalties if they do not take “reasonable steps” to prevent children under 16 from having accounts. 

The eSafety Commission defines reasonable steps as:

If a platform fails to do so, a court can order civil penalties, including fines of up to $49.5 million.

How are these penalties enforced? 

The eSafety Commission will monitor and enforce any penalties for non-compliance in accordance with the law.

It may also pursue court action. 

Inman Grant said she will start gathering information and issuing compliance notices now that her powers have kicked in. 

What happens to my social media account? 

Under-16s will see their social media accounts either be deactivated or deleted, depending on the platform.

Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and X indicated they are deactivating accounts until the user is 16. 

Snapchat said it will remove accounts.

All remaining platforms have not specified how exactly the ban will be enforced

Australians over 16 will not be affected. 

Anyone making a new account after today may have to verify their age through facial verification or a government-issued ID.

However, platforms must offer options so that users are not forced to share their ID if they do not wish to. 

What platforms are banned? 

Social media platforms must meet four conditions to be age-restricted under the ban:

Currently, the platforms banned are: 

What platforms are not banned? 

The platforms that are exempt are: 

But Wells has warned that Yope, Lemon8 and even LinkedIn may be added to the ban.

The eSafety Commission will assess which platforms children move to after today and will decide whether to expand the scope of the ban.