On Dec. 10, 2025, Australia banned social media for children under the age of 16. This new law locked children out of their accounts on Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and more. Government officials in Australia say this law will reduce children’s screen time and limit “serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.”

What determines if a platform is social media?

The Australian government assesses platforms in three ways. Firstly, they check whether the platform’s main purpose is for users to communicate with at least two users, such as Snapchat. Secondly, they check if a platform also allows users to interact (share, like, etc.) with other users. Lastly, they check if the platform enables posting from users, similar to apps such as Instagram or TikTok. Platforms that meet all three of these criteria are now banned for users under 16.

Why is social media getting banned?

In 2025, 95% of 10 to 15-year-olds in Australia used social media, and of that 95%, one in 10ten had been exposed to misogynistic and violent material, sometimes normalizing eating disorders or suicide. Government officials in Australia suppose the risks of social media for youth outweigh the potential benefits. The ban was implemented to protect the mental health and security of teenagers in Australia.

Face scan to determine age

Yoti, an Australian platform, determines your age using an AI face scan selfie. Social media platforms can determine your age via an AI face-scan selfie. If the scan determines you are younger than 16, your account could be removed or disabled until you are of age. The facial scans are proven to be 93% effective.

Companies opinions on the bans

A lot of technology companies argued that banning children from their platforms would push them into “darker corners of the internet.” Meta, owned by Facebook, has explained to CNBC that isolating children from their friends and communities will likely cause feelings of loneliness, instead of boosting mental health and safety as advertised. However, companies that refuse to comply with the ban will pay fines up to $50 million.

Predicted effects

For the first time in years, teens all over Australia report they “feel free.” At first, opening social media was one of the first things they did in the morning, but now they fill their time with hobbies such as reading, playing instruments, and participating in more sports.

“Opening Snapchat would often lead to Instagram and then TikTok, which sometimes resulted in me losing track of time after being swept up by the algorithm…” Ava, an Australian teen, said to CNBC, “I now reach for my phone less and mainly use it when I genuinely need to do something.”