Australia will enforce a new law on December 10 banning children under 16 from using major social media platforms. The government has added Reddit and Kick to its growing list of restricted platforms, joining Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed that all platforms must delete existing underage accounts and block new ones. Companies that fail to act face penalties of up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million). “We’ve met with several platforms to ensure there is no excuse for noncompliance,” Wells said in Canberra.
She added, “These companies already use technology to target children with extreme precision. We’re demanding they use that same technology to protect them instead.”
Enforcement and Research on Social Impact
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant will oversee enforcement of the new regulation. She said the list of restricted platforms would expand as new technologies emerge. “We will continue evaluating these services to keep children safe online,” Inman Grant said.
The government stated that all nine restricted platforms share a “primary or significant purpose of enabling online social interaction.” Inman Grant plans to partner with researchers to study the effects of the ban on children’s behavior, sleep, and physical activity.
“We’ll examine both positive outcomes and unintended consequences,” she explained. “We’ll gather evidence so other nations can learn from Australia’s experience.”
Global Praise and Domestic Concerns
Australia’s decision has drawn international attention. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a United Nations forum in New York that she felt “inspired” by Australia’s “common-sense” approach. Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, said her country would closely observe how the policy unfolds to inform its own child protection measures.
Critics within Australia warned that enforcing age restrictions could compromise user privacy, as all users may need to verify their age. Minister Wells responded that the government aims to keep user data as private as possible while enforcing safety standards.
More than 140 academics in Australia and abroad signed an open letter opposing the measure, calling it “too blunt an instrument” to address social media risks effectively. Despite the backlash, the government insists the ban marks a decisive step toward protecting young Australians from online harm.
