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SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
AN INTERACTIVE NEWS REPORT
Children Under 16 In Australia Are Banned From Using Social Media Platforms
(2025)
From 10 December 2025, under-16s in Australia will be banned from using major social media services including Tiktok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads. They will not be able to set up new accounts, and existing profiles must be deactivated.
INTRODUCTION
Is it safe?
The Digital Dangers For Children Under 16
THE PROBLEM
Social media has become an inescapable part of childhood. But beneath the likes, shares, and viral trends lies a troubling reality that has pushed Australia to take the world's most drastic step: banning everyone under 16 from major social media platforms.
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96%
Australian children aged 10–15 had used at least one social media platform
7 in 10
encountered content associated with harm, including misogynistic or hateful material, violent fight videos, and content promoting disordered eating and suicide.
1 in 7
reported experiencing online grooming-type behaviour from adults or other children at least 4 years older.
60%
of children who had experienced grooming-type behaviour said their most recent experience happened on social media.
50%
of children reported experiencing cyberbullying and their most recent experiences of were in social media, gaming and messaging platforms.
Australian teens trapped by social media apps as the ‘like’ button triggers mental health disorders
4 in 10
Australian teens now suffer mental health distress, with experts drawing a link in a rise in cases with the use of social media
70%
Surge in the rate of hospitalisation for intentional self-harm in young women aged 15-19 between 2008-09 to 2021-22
THE SOLUTION
The Ban of Social Media for Under 16 Kids by the Australian Government
But the main question is:
will it work?
The government says it will reduce the harmful effects of social media design features that keep young people online longer and expose them to content that can impact their health and wellbeing.
Ten Platforms Currently Included
The government assessed these sites through their criterias for the ban
Snapchat
Threads
TikTok
X
YouTube
Twitch
Kick
Platforms left out include
YouTube Kids, Google Classroom & WhatsApp
Dating websites are excluded along with gaming platforms, as are AI chatbots, which have recently made headlines for allegedly encouraging children to kill themselves and for having sensual conversations with minors which raises the question on the criterias set by the government for banning such social media platforms.
The question still remains
How Will They Deal With The Age & ID Verification?
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Government IDs
Facial or voice recognition
Behavioural & interaction analysis
THE RESPONSE
Voices, Effects And The Penalties
This isn't a simple issue with clear heroes and villains. The ban has sparked passionate debate and legitimate concerns from parents, teens, tech companies, and child rights advocates
Voices with Different Perspectives
Understanding the point of view from every concerned group
01
The Government
Putting safety first
The government supports the ban on social media for under-16s, arguing it protects children from harmful content, bullying and mental-health pressures. By requiring platforms like TikTok, Instagram and more to remove under-16 accounts, they believe they are prioritising child safety. Large fines reinforce compliance and aim to ensure the policy prevents harm rather than punishes young people.
02
Parents & Guardians
A necessary safeguard
Parents and guardians largely welcome the ban because it shifts responsibility onto social media companies. They feel it reduces exposure to harmful content and addictive features. Although some worry children may feel excluded socially, most appreciate a clear boundary that supports their efforts to keep young users safe and reduces the pressure of constant monitoring.
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Kids & Teenagers
Feeling shut out
Many teenagers feel the ban disconnects them from friends, hobbies and online communities. Social media is a major part of their communication and identity, so losing access feels isolating and unfair. Some argue they used platforms responsibly and feel punished purely because of their age, viewing the ban as restrictive and dismissive.
04
Social Media Companies
Hard to enforce
Social media companies are concerned about age verification requirements and the need to remove all under-16 accounts. With heavy fines for non-compliance, there is significant operational pressure. Although they support child safety publicly, companies argue the ban is difficult to enforce and may risk privacy issues or push young users toward unregulated online spaces.
The Question About Penalty
The maximum fine for non-compliance is
AUD $49.5 Million
For these tech giants, the maximum penalty is barely a rounding error and can earn that much in a matter of hours.
Will reputation damage and enforcement be enough
to ensure compliance?
Annual Revenue
AUD $238.0 Billion
Annual Revenue
AUD $290.6 Billion
0.025%
Fine as % of Revenue
Owned by Meta
Annual Revenue
AUD $587.1 Billion
Fine as % of Revenue
0.011%
Owned by Alphabet
0.031%
Fine as % of Revenue
Owned by ByteDance
What About
Data Protection?
Australia’s push for age checks has raised fresh questions about how much personal information young users must hand over. Critics warn that large databases of sensitive data could become targets, especially after a string of high-profile breaches in recent years.
How will the government deal with this?
They plan to include strict safeguards. Information collected for age checks can only be used for that purpose and must be destroyed afterward, with strong penalties for any mishandling.
THE WORKAROUND
Loopholes The Kids Might Exploit
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Fake Profiles
Some teenagers plan to create fake profiles before the deadline to keep their accounts active. Despite government warnings, many believe altering their age or details could help them slip past platform checks.
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Joint Account
Other teens are turning to joint accounts with parents to stay online. By sharing a profile linked to an adult, they hope to keep access while appearing to follow the new rules.
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VPNs
Commentators expect a surge in VPN use, as teens hide their location to avoid detection. Similar behaviour occurred in the UK, making age enforcement harder and driving activity underground.
THE GLOBAL IMPACT
Global Approach to Social Media Regulations
Denmark
Denmark has announced plans to ban social media for under-15s
France
A French parliamentary enquiry has also recommended banning under-15s from social media, and a social media "curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds
Spain
The Spanish government has drafted a law which would require legal guardians to authorise access for under-16s.
United Kingdom
In the UK, new safety rules introduced in July 2025 mean online companies face large fines or even the jailing of their executives if they fail to implement measures to protect young people from seeing illegal and harmful content.
Utah, USA
An attempt in the US state of Utah to ban under-18s from social media without parental consent was blocked by a federal judge in 2024.
Norway
Norway also plans to ban social media for under-15s
This isn't a story with a clear ending. It's one that will unfold over years, shaped by how teens respond, how platforms adapt, and how the rest of the world reacts.
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