SYDNEY, Australia — Social media use for children and younger teens in Australia is facing a major shift as platforms comply with a new law banning access for users under 16. Starting December 10, those under 16, or suspected to be in this age group, are receiving notifications that their accounts may be deactivated or put on hold until they can prove they meet the age requirement.
Meta has begun removing access to Instagram, Facebook, and Threads for teens under 16, while also blocking the creation of new accounts for this age group. Other platforms affected include YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitch, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Kick.
The law aims to protect youth from online harm, but some experts question the effectiveness of the methods being used and whether digital spaces will truly be safer. Age verification typically relies on registration information combined with artificial intelligence to identify underage accounts. Accounts flagged by AI may be removed, but users can appeal by submitting government-issued ID or recording a “video selfie.”
Snapchat uses similar verification methods, including government-issued ID, third-party selfie analysis, or banking information. Tech analyst Carmi Levy noted that most companies will rely heavily on automated systems to verify ages, but he warned these systems have a history of errors, often wrongly tagging or removing legitimate users.
Levy also expressed concerns about privacy and data protection, noting that sensitive personal information collected for age verification may not always be securely handled. Digital rights advocates, including Matt Hatfield of OpenMedia, argue that age blocks and bans may not address online harms like cyberbullying and could push young people to less monitored spaces.
Fifteen-year-old Sydney student Noah Jones, a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the ban, said the law infringes on constitutional rights and limits communication channels. He warned that teens avoiding the platforms may be less likely to report harmful content.
Australia’s legislation is being closely watched internationally and could serve as a model for other countries, including Canada, where the federal government plans new legislation aimed at protecting children from online sexual exploitation, tightening child-luring laws, and criminalizing non-consensual distribution of sexual deepfakes.
Experts emphasize that parental guidance remains critical, with Levy urging parents to have ongoing conversations with their children about safe and responsible behavior online. He noted that technology alone cannot fully protect youth in digital spaces.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
