Australia will enforce a new law from December 10 banning children under 16 from using several major social media platforms. The government added Reddit and livestreaming site Kick to the existing list, which already includes Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed that all listed platforms must close accounts belonging to younger users. Companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” face penalties of up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million).
“We’ve met with several platforms over the past month,” Wells said. “They now know there’s no excuse for failing to implement this law. Online platforms use technology to target children—we’re demanding they use that same technology to protect them.”
eSafety Commissioner to Oversee Enforcement
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, will oversee the law’s enforcement. She said the list of restricted platforms would evolve as new technologies emerge. “These nine platforms exist primarily to enable online social interaction, which meets the legal threshold,” a government statement explained.
Inman Grant said she would collaborate with researchers to assess the impact of the ban on children’s health and habits. “We’ll examine whether children sleep more, interact better, or spend more time being active,” she said. “We’ll also look for unintended consequences and collect data to help other nations learn from Australia’s experience.”
The move marks the first global law requiring social media platforms to restrict underage users. Other governments are watching closely as they consider similar protections.
Global Praise and Domestic Debate
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Australia’s action during a UN forum in New York, calling it a “common-sense” approach to child safety online. Denmark’s ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, also said her government would study the policy as it develops measures to protect minors from digital harm.
However, critics argue the law threatens user privacy by forcing everyone to verify their age. More than 140 Australian and international academics wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year, warning that an age limit is “too blunt an instrument” to address online risks effectively.
Wells maintained that the government remains committed to protecting both children and user privacy. “We want to keep Australians safe online without compromising their personal data,” she said.
The legislation signals a major shift in global tech regulation and positions Australia as a pioneer in digital child protection.
