Australia’s social media ban for people under 16 takes effect

Young passengers use their smartphones on a train near Central Station in Sydney, Australia, Nov. 19, 2025. Australia’s online regulator reported earlier this year that 95 percent of teens ages 13 to 15 used social media in 2024. (Matthew Abbott/The New York Times)

By VICTORIA KIM

A new law in Australia that bars anyone younger than 16 from having social media accounts went into effect Wednesday, in the start of a sweeping governmental effort to shelter children from the harms associated with such platforms.

The measure, passed a year ago with broad support, requires the technology companies behind the platforms to identify and disable the accounts of Australian users who are under 16. Failure to take what the law considers “reasonable steps” to remove the users will lead to a fine of about $32 million.

Most of the 10 services covered by the law — Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X and YouTube — said they would comply with the law. A few said they had begun deactivating accounts in the days before the law came into effect. Some have argued that the government’s classification of what is considered a social media service was murky and that the ban may push children into less-regulated corners of the internet.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia has said the move was needed to address concerns about social media’s effects on children’s mental health.

“Our social media ban is about making sure kids have a childhood,” Albanese said in videos posted on X and Instagram. “It’s not going to be perfect, but it’s too important not to give it a crack.”

Denmark and Malaysia are planning similar actions to restrict children’s social media use.

Australia’s communications minister said the companies would be required to report the number of underage accounts on their platforms before and immediately after the ban, and then each of the next six months.

The setup and enforcement of age restrictions are left up to the companies. In the days leading to the ban, some teenagers said that they were prompted to verify their ages using a facial analysis feature but that it gave inaccurate estimates. The law also states that companies cannot ask users to provide government-issued identification as the only way to prove their age because of privacy concerns.

Australia’s online regulator reported this year that 95% of teenagers ages 13 to 15 used social media in 2024. YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram were the most popular services.

Two Australian teenagers, backed by an advocacy group, filed a constitutional challenge to the law in the country’s high court before it went into effect, arguing that it infringes on their right to political communication. Australian media also reported that Reddit was preparing to sue over the law.

Human rights organizations, including the country’s human rights commission, have also expressed concerns that a “blanket ban” will not be effective.

“Many young people will no doubt find ways to avoid the restrictions,” Amnesty International said in a statement Wednesday. “A ban simply means they will continue to be exposed to the same harms but in secret, leaving them at even greater risk.”

Critics have also noted that the law may disproportionately affect young teens living in remote areas, or access to information for those who are minorities or living with a disability.