Australia's Social Media Ban Update: Sites Included, Exceptions, and How Kids Are Bypassing Age-Verification Systems Revealed

Australia restricts under-16s from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X, while kids find creative ways to bypass age verification systems. (Credit: Pexels)

Australia has now implemented a landmark social media ban restricting under-16s from accessing several major platforms. The government announced that the decision came after determining the risks of social media for young Australians outweigh the benefits. The ban officially came into effect on 10 December 2025, requiring platforms to enforce restrictions or face substantial penalties.

The federal government revealed the platforms that will be restricted for under-16s, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Kick, Reddit, and most recently, Twitch. Each platform has been notified that failure to prevent access could result in fines of up to £42 million (approximately $50 million). The measures reflect growing concerns over cyberbullying, harmful content, and online predators targeting young users.