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Key Points

Australia is implementing a world-first ban on social media for users under 16 starting December 10. Social media companies are required to detect and deactivate accounts held by minors under this age. The government acknowledges that perfection isn't expected immediately but demands meaningful steps toward compliance. Platforms failing to enforce the ban face substantial fines up to $33 million.

Key Points: Australia Enforces World-First Under-16 Social Media Ban in December

  • Platforms must detect and deactivate existing accounts of under-16s
  • Companies face fines up to $33M for failing to enforce the ban
  • Government expects gradual cultural change, not instant perfection
  • Age assurance tech trial confirmed effectiveness for enforcement
2 min read

Social media platforms required to deactivate accounts of under-16s under Australian ban

Australia mandates social media platforms to detect and deactivate accounts of users under 16, with fines up to $33M for non-compliance starting December 10.

"We are not anticipating perfection here, these are world-leading laws, but we are requiring meaningful change through reasonable steps - Anika Wells"

Canberra, Sep 16

Social media companies will be required to detect and deactivate accounts held by underage children when Australia's world-first under-16 ban comes into effect in December, the government revealed on Tuesday.

The federal government on Tuesday released regulatory guidance for technology companies to comply with the under-16 social media ban ahead of it coming into effect on December 10.

The guidance says that social media platforms will be expected to initially focus on the detection and deactivation of existing accounts held by children younger than 16, and on taking reasonable steps to prevent those whose accounts have been removed from immediately creating a new account.

Platforms will not be required to test the age of every user and will not be told by the government which technology to use for age assurance, the guidance says, but will need to provide transparent and accessible information about how they are enforcing the ban as well as a process for disputes.

Under the legislation for the ban, which passed the federal parliament in December 2024, companies that fail to take "reasonable steps" to enforce the ban will face fines worth up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($33 million).

Releasing the guidelines on Tuesday, Communications Minister Anika Wells and Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, said at a press conference that they do not expect the ban to be fully effective instantly.

"We are not anticipating perfection here, these are world-leading laws, but we are requiring meaningful change through reasonable steps that will seek cultural change and a chilling effect that will keep kids safe," Wells said.

Grant said that the government recognises that building the required systems and technology will take some time, and that her agency would initially focus on systemic failures by platforms to apply the policy and processes that they are required to, Xinhua news agency reported.

The government, in August, released the results of a trial that found age assurance technologies can be effectively used to enforce age-related eligibility requirements.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good initiative but implementation will be challenging. Many kids here in India already use fake accounts with false ages. Technical solutions need to be foolproof to actually work.
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Ananya R
As a teacher, I see how social media affects children's concentration and mental health. Parents in India should also limit screen time regardless of government rules. Education starts at home!
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Michael C
While the intention is good, this raises privacy concerns. Collecting age verification data from millions of users could be misused. There should be strong data protection laws alongside such bans.
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Siddharth J
Instead of complete bans, maybe educational approach would work better? Teach digital literacy in schools and help children use social media responsibly. Complete restriction might make them more curious 🤔
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Kavya N
Finally! Social media companies have been irresponsible for too long. In India, we see so many young children exposed to inappropriate content. Hope our government takes note and implements similar protections 🇮🇳

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