Australia’s social media ban for users under 16 remains in active enforcement as of 2025, eleven months after the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 took full effect. The ban represents the world’s first comprehensive governmental regulation preventing minors from accessing major social platforms. Nine platforms currently fall under Australia’s ban requirements, affecting hundreds of thousands of young users.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Australia’s Comprehensive Social Media Ban: What Users Need to Know
Australia’s legislation bans social media access for anyone under 16 years old across nine major platforms. The ban applies to Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and Kick. Platforms failing to enforce Australia’s ban face penalties up to A$49.5 million (USD $32 million).[2][3][4][6][7][1]
How Australia’s Ban Works: Current Enforcement Status
Australia’s ban uses a data minimisation approach, relying on existing user information rather than mandatory identity verification. Since implementation began in December 2024, Meta removed approximately 500,000 accounts for Australian users under 16 from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Messaging apps (Messenger, WhatsApp, Discord) remain excluded from Australia’s ban requirements.[3][5][8][9][10][11][12][1][2]
Age Verification Technology Under Australia’s Ban
Australia’s Age Assurance Technology Trial found a 13.9 percent false negative rate at the 16-year threshold, meaning approximately 1 in 7 eligible users may be incorrectly blocked under the ban. Facial recognition technology performs better at age 18, estimating age within approximately one year. Terry Flew, co-director of Sydney University’s Center for AI, Trust and Governance, noted that “facial-recognition technology has at least a 5 percent failure rate.”[13][14][15][16][17]
The Age Check Certification Scheme stated: “We did not find a single ubiquitous solution that would suit all use cases, nor did we find solutions that were guaranteed to be effective in all deployments.”[18][19]
User Appeals and Protections Under Australia’s Ban
Users aged 16 or older incorrectly flagged by Australia’s ban can appeal through three methods:[20][21]
- Government-issued identification submitted to Yoti (third-party verifier).
- Facial age verification via video selfie analysis.
- Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS) approved providers.
Meta states the appeals process takes a maximum of two to three weeks. Yoti deletes facial images and identification documents immediately after processing to protect privacy.[22][23][24][20]
Australia’s Ban Platform List and Future Modifications
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner clarified that the platform list under the ban is not final and may be modified based on operational feedback. Roblox remains exempt from Australia’s ban but independently launched mandatory facial age verification for chat features beginning December 2025. Meta acknowledged that teens attempt to circumvent Australia’s ban measures, confirming enforcement remains “an ongoing and multi-layered process.”[25][26][27][28][29][30][31]
