The Australian government has issued detailed guidance for technology companies ahead of a new law set to ban social media accounts for users under the age of 16. The law will take effect on December 10, and platforms must take steps to comply with the new age restrictions or face penalties.
Compliance Guidance Released
The eSafety Commission released documentation, including a self-assessment tool, to help companies determine whether their services fall under the scope of the law. Platforms used primarily for education, health, professional networking, or online gaming may be exempt.
Popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are expected to be directly affected by the regulation.
Requirements for Social Media Platforms
Under the new law, platforms must:
- Identify and remove accounts held by users under 16
- Notify affected users upon account removal
- Prevent re-registration by underage users through mechanisms like the detection of VPN use or attempts to bypass restrictions
- Offer appeals for users over 16 who are wrongly removed
- Use multiple age-verification methods, not relying solely on government ID
- Avoid retaining individual age-check data, but must document their processes
Companies are permitted to use existing account data—such as account creation dates—to determine compliance. However, each platform is responsible for designing its own age assurance system.
Limited Access Still Possible
Despite the restrictions, users under 16 will still be able to view public social media content without logging into an account. Access through shared family devices may also allow continued use, making enforcement more complex.
Role of Caregivers and Further Resources
The new framework encourages caregiver involvement in monitoring and supporting children’s digital activity. The eSafety Commission plans to release additional resources to help families understand and adapt to the changes.
Implementation and Industry Response
Platforms are expected to start reviewing account data immediately to flag underage users. The government has not mandated a specific technological solution, which may lead to variations in enforcement across services.
Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that the law will move forward as scheduled and warned platforms that there is “no excuse for non-compliance.”