Australia will enforce new online safety laws starting December 10, banning children under 16 from using major social media platforms. Reddit and livestreaming platform Kick have joined Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, YouTube, and Threads under the new restrictions. Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the update on Wednesday, calling it a world-first legal step to protect minors.
Platforms that fail to prevent underage access face penalties of up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million). “We have met with several social media companies, and there is no excuse for ignoring this law,” Wells said in Canberra. She added, “These companies use technology to target children with precision. We ask that they now use it to protect them.”
Government to Enforce and Evaluate the Ban
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant will oversee enforcement of the new regulations. She confirmed that the list of restricted platforms will evolve alongside emerging technologies. The nine affected platforms meet the government’s definition of services designed mainly for online social interaction.
Inman Grant said her office will collaborate with academics to measure the effects of the law. “We will study whether children sleep better, interact more, or become more physically active,” she explained. “We’ll also monitor for unintended consequences and collect evidence so other nations can learn from Australia’s progress.”
Global Interest and Domestic Debate
Australia’s age restriction is drawing international attention. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the law at a United Nations forum, calling it a “common sense” approach to protecting children. Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, said her country will observe Australia’s model closely as it develops its own child safety policies.
However, critics fear the rule could compromise privacy by forcing all users to verify their age. Wells assured that the government intends to safeguard personal data while enforcing compliance. Last year, more than 140 experts in child welfare and digital technology signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese opposing the policy. They argued that an age-based ban is “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”
Despite criticism, the government insists the law will help reduce online harm and create safer digital spaces for young Australians.
