Australia Social Media Minimum Age Act
AustraliaThe world's first under-16 social media ban, in force: ten platforms must keep minors out or face fines near A$50 million, and parental consent is no defense.
Latest update
Ban took effect across ten designated platforms
Current position
In force since December 10, 2025
What it does
Passed in November 2024 and in force since December 10, 2025, the Act requires age-restricted platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from holding accounts, with penalties up to A$49.5 million. Parents cannot consent around it. The eSafety Commissioner has designated YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Threads, and Kick as covered, and platforms verify age at signup, which reaches every user.
Why it matters
This is the law the rest of the world cites: Canada's C-34, Denmark's plan, and the EU's digital-majority push all point at Australia as proof it can be done. The first national experiment in carding an entire population for social media is running now, and its enforcement record becomes everyone else's evidence.
Our take
Australia volunteered to show that keeping teenagers off Instagram requires checking everyone's papers, and governments watching call the demonstration a success by counting blocked accounts rather than the identity infrastructure left behind. Exported, this becomes the norm before the evidence is in.
Timeline
Ban took effect across ten designated platforms
LatestRoyal assent
Cleared Parliament
Passed the Senate, 34 to 19
Introduced
Votes
- Senate — Final passage (34 to 19) · November 28, 2024