Australia Expands Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Australia will implement a pioneering social media ban for children under 16 starting December 2025. The latest additions to the banned list include Reddit, America’s most popular social news forum, and the live-streaming platform Kick, alongside established platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and X (formerly Twitter).
Details of the Ban
From December 10, 2025, technology companies face fines up to A$50 million (approximately $32.5 million or £25.7 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to deactivate existing under-16 accounts and prevent new ones. The Australian government emphasized that all banned platforms primarily facilitate online social interaction. The list may grow due to the rapidly evolving nature of digital technology.
Government Statements
“Delaying children's access to social media accounts gives them valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of harmful and deceptive design features such as opaque algorithms and endless scroll.”
— Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant
“Online platforms can target children with chilling control, and the ban is about protecting children.”
— Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells
Summary
The Australian government leads a global effort to shield children under 16 from social media exposure, enforcing strict measures on platforms geared toward social interaction with significant penalties for non-compliance.
Author’s Conclusion
This ban reflects Australia’s commitment to protecting youth by limiting early social media exposure, addressing risks from algorithmic manipulation and harmful content prevalent on popular platforms.