Social Media Age Restrictions in Australia - Torrens Valley Christian School

Social Media Age Restrictions: What parents need to know

From 10 December 2025, the social media age restrictions will come into place. Social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account. This significant change aims to protect young people during a critical stage of development while shifting responsibility from parents to tech companies.

Why the Australian Government Introduced Age Restrictions

Protecting Young Australians’ Mental Health and Wellbeing

Social media platforms often use design features that encourage prolonged screen time and expose users to potentially harmful content. These can negatively impact:

Sleep patterns
Self-esteem
Anxiety levels
Exposure to cyberbullying

The government aims to delay exposure to these risks during a critical stage of adolescent development.

Shifting Responsibility to Tech Companies

Previously, the burden of managing children’s online safety fell largely on parents. The new framework:

Places the onus on social media platforms to prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts
Requires platforms to take “reasonable steps” to detect and remove underage users
Introduces penalties of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance

Avoiding Intrusive Age Verification

To balance safety with privacy:

Platforms cannot require government ID or facial scans
They must offer privacy-friendly alternatives for age assurance
Users should have review mechanisms if wrongly restricted

Legislative Backing and Regulatory Oversight

The changes stem from amendments to the Online Safety Act 2021, introducing the Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) framework. This gives:

The eSafety Commissioner has the authority to monitor and enforce compliance
The Minister for Communications power to define which platforms are age-restricted

Encouraging Cultural Change

Rather than a strict ban, the government is promoting a “chilling effect”—a cultural shift where platforms design safer environments and delay access for younger users. The goal is meaningful change, not perfection.

Why Is Social Media Age-Restricted for Under-16s?

It’s Not a Ban, It’s a Delay to Having an Account

As a partof the social media age restrictions, social media platforms won’t allow anyone under 16 to create or keep an account. This is because being logged in increases exposure to risks and pressures that can harm health and wellbeing.

The main risks include:

Pressure to check disappearing posts and constant notifications
More screen time leading to less sleep and focus
Higher stress and anxiety
Greater chance of seeing harmful or manipulative content

The Benefits of Waiting Until 16

Waiting until young people are 16 delays access, giving them time to:

Build digital literacy and critical thinking
Learn impulse control and resilience
Understand online risks and how to stay safe

What This Means for Families

Parents no longer have to choose between saying “yes” or “no” to social media. The law makes it simple: if you’re under 16, the answer is “not yet”.

No one misses out because everyone under 16 is in the same boat.

Which Platforms Are Affected?

The most commonly used platforms affected are:

Facebook
Instagram
Snapchat
TikTok
X (formerly Twitter)
YouTube
Reddit
Kick
Threads

(Correct as at 7 November 2025)

What Happens to Existing Accounts?

From 10 December 2025, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and others must detect and deactivate or remove accounts belonging to users under 16.

This applies to both current accounts and new sign-ups. Platforms are expected to do this “with care and clear communication”, meaning users should receive notifications before removal.

Important: There are no penalties for children or parents — the responsibility is on the platforms.

Will Content Be Deleted?

The law does not require platforms to delete user content, but it’s unclear if accounts will be fully erased or if reactivation will be possible when the user turns 16.

Government guidance suggests platforms should offer preservation options as part of “care”, but this will vary by platform.

How Can Under-16s Save Their Photos and Data?

Act before 10 December:

Use each platform’s data download tool and save your content to a secure location (cloud storage or external drive). The eSafety Commissioner’s hub provides guides on how to download and save content from different platforms.

Instagram

Open the Instagram app or visit Instagram.com
Go to Settings → Your Facebook Information → Download Your Information
Choose your date range, format (HTML or JSON), and media quality
Click Create File
You’ll receive a notification when your file is ready to download

Facebook

Log in at Facebook.com
Go to Settings → Your Facebook Information → Download Your Information
Select TXT or JSON format and media quality
Click Create File
You’ll receive a notification when your file is ready to download

Snapchat

Log in at accounts.snapchat.com
Click My Data
Scroll down and click Submit Request
You’ll receive an email with a link to download your data

YouTube

Go to Google Takeout
Select YouTube and YouTube Music
Choose file type and size, then click Create Export
You’ll receive a notification when your export is ready to download

TikTok

Use the “Request Data” feature in settings to download your information.

How Will Young Australians Prove They Are 16 and Over?

No Mandatory Government ID

Young Australians will not be required to upload government ID or facial scans as the sole method of proving age. The law explicitly states that Australians cannot be compelled to use government identification (including Digital ID) to prove age online.

Layered Age Assurance Methods

Instead, platforms must offer privacy-friendly alternatives and take “reasonable steps” to confirm users are 16 or older. These methods will be determined by the platforms and won’t be revealed until the social media age restrictions are in place.

User Choice and Privacy

Platforms must give users options for how age is assured
Data collected for age checks must be destroyed after use
Review mechanisms will exist for users wrongly restricted

Impacts on Children Under 16

Coping with change like this can feel overwhelming. Students under 16 who lose access to their social media accounts are likely to experience a mix of psychological and emotional impacts, especially if they have been heavy users.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Social media can be addictive because it triggers dopamine release through likes, comments, and notifications. When access is suddenly removed, young people may experience:

Strong urges to check apps
Irritability and mood swings
Boredom and restlessness
Sleep disturbances (insomnia)
In some cases, anxiety and depressive feelings

These symptoms can last for weeks and resemble withdrawal from other behavioural addictions.

Feelings of Disconnection

Social media often serves as a primary way for teens to:

Stay connected with friends
Share creative content
Access mental health resources

Losing these channels may lead to loneliness, fear of missing out (FOMO), and reduced peer support.

Identity and Self-Worth Challenges

Many teens link self-esteem to online validation (likes, comments). Removing this feedback loop can cause:

Confusion about identity
Reduced confidence
Emotional discomfort during adjustment

Potential Positive Outcomes

While the transition may be hard initially, experts note possible benefits:

Lower stress and anxiety over time
Improved sleep and focus
More opportunities for face-to-face social interaction and healthier habits

How to Support Your Child

Gradual Preparation

Encourage students to download data and start reducing screen time before the restrictions take effect.

Alternative Activities

Promote sports, hobbies, and in-person social events to fill the gap left by social media.

Support Systems

Utilise school counsellors and maintain regular parent check-ins during the adjustment period.

Open Communication

Keep conversations open about feelings and concerns. Let your child know that everyone under 16 is going through the same transition.

Key Takeaways

Effective Date: 10 December 2025
Who: Australians under 16 cannot have social media accounts
Responsibility: Platforms must enforce—not parents or children
Privacy: No mandatory government ID required
Action Required: Download your data before 10 December 2025
Support Available: School counsellors and family support during the transition

This legislation represents a significant shift in how Australia protects young people online. By delaying social media access until age 16, we’re giving young Australians the time and space they need to develop the skills and resilience necessary for navigating the digital world safely.

References:

For more information and step-by-step guides, visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website.