Australia Just Banned 9 Social Media Platforms for Everyone Under 16 — And It Starts in 35 Days
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The Platforms Affected: Reddit and Kick were just added to the ban list, joining Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube, Snapchat, and Threads. That's 9 platforms total that must block all Australian users under 16 starting December 10, 2025.
The Penalties: Platforms face fines up to AU$49.5 million (US$32 million) if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to exclude under-16 users. This is the world's strictest social media age restriction law.
What's Exempt: WhatsApp, YouTube Kids, educational platforms, gaming services (like Discord and Twitch), and messaging apps focused on one-to-one communication are not included because their primary purpose isn't "social interaction."
How It Works: Platforms have had 12 months to prepare since the legislation passed in November 2024. Tech companies must implement age verification technology by December 10. Existing under-16 accounts will be shut down, and new accounts blocked.
The Controversy: 140+ academics signed an open letter calling the ban a "blunt instrument" that could harm young people by cutting them off from support networks and educational resources.
