US EditionAustralia to enforce social media age limit of 16 next week with fines up to $33 million
The ban targets platforms with 86% of Australian children aged 8-15 active online; fines up to AUD 49.5 million will apply for noncompliance, officials say.
- Communications Minister Anika Wells said starting December 10, platforms must prevent under-16 users or face fines up to $49.5 million AUD, with notices to be sent next week to verify December 9 accounts.
- With nearly 86 per cent usage among 8–15‑year‑olds, officials note the scale of the cohort and the government's view of the measure as a 'moral imperative' to protect children, said Wells.
- Privacy and security experts caution that age checks using ConnectID or k‑ID collect sensitive data and pose risks, while VPN providers expect a rise in workarounds that endanger children.
- Several platforms have already started preparations, and TikTok said it will deactivate accounts from December 10 when behaviours indicate users are below 16, with platforms facing monthly information requests for six months from the eSafety Commission.
- Lemon8 and Yope are drawing scrutiny after surging in the charts, and eSafety has written to them to self-assess under new laws, with Julie Inman‑Grant saying, "We will be watching the migratory patterns, and we'll be talking to these companies.
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79 Articles
Australia has announced it will be the first country in the world to impose a minimum age limit for using social media. Australia's decision will take effect in a week.
As of next week, children and young people under the age of 16 will no longer have access to social media platforms in Australia. Tech companies and lobby groups are running storms against the government law.
Australia leads world with under-16 social media restriction
Starting December 10, Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media, with Meta already deleting underage accounts and age verification being introduced on app stores. The measure aims to protect children from cyberbullying, predators, harmful content, and addictive algorithms, with violations carrying fines of up to AUD 50 million. Parents largely welcome the move, and other countries, including Malaysia and several EU nations, ar…
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