Australia to Enforce Social Media Age Limit of 16 Starting December 10
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Australia will implement a law requiring social media platforms to remove accounts of users under 16, with non-compliance resulting in substantial fines.
Starting December 10, 2025, Australia will enforce a law mandating that social media platforms prevent individuals under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. Affected platforms include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Threads, Kick, and Twitch. Non-compliance could result in fines up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately $33 million).
The eSafety Commissioner will issue notices to these platforms on December 11, requiring monthly reports over six months detailing the number of underage accounts removed. Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged that age verification processes may take time but emphasized that systemic breaches would lead to penalties.
In response, Google announced that users under 16 will be signed out of YouTube accounts, losing access to features like playlists. Meta stated that suspected underage accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads will be removed, with affected users able to verify their age through government-issued IDs or video selfies via Yoti.
Critics, including the Digital Freedom Project, plan to challenge the law in the High Court, arguing it may infringe on constitutional rights. Minister Wells defended the legislation, citing parental support and international interest from countries like France, Denmark, and New Zealand in implementing similar measures.
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