Social Media Restrictions for Under 16s in Australia
The new social media restrictions for children and teens aged under 16 years come into effect on Wednesday 10 December 2025.
As part of the new restrictions, implemented by the Australian Government, teens will face age-restricted access to various social media platforms. Welcomed by many parents, teachers, health professionals, social media safety advocates, and even some teens, the new measure has also been criticised by some, concerns such as its impact on young teens who may face barriers in communicating with their peers as a result of the restrictions.
Under the new restrictions, children and teens under 16 will not be able to create or maintain a social media account on any site on the restricted list. The onus is on social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from creating or keeping restricted social media accounts. This will not entirely eliminate all online risks to under-16s, but it is hoped it will help protect them at such a crucial time in their lives and development.
We’ve put together a simple guide with the most frequently asked questions, plus links to other sites to help you navigate the new social media restrictions.
Why have the social media measures for under-16s been implemented?
Firstly, it’s not a ban, it’s a delay to having accounts. It is suggested that restricting social media access may help protect children from online harms, including cyberbullying, harmful content, predatory behaviour, and privacy exploitation. Social media use may be adversely affecting children’s mental health, sleep, development and general well-being. The decision to implement the restrictions was made following extensive consultation with a broad range of experts and organisations.
How will social media platforms be able to restrict access to under-16s?
It depends on the social media platform in question, and this is not entirely clear, but they will offer a range of options to determine your age, including estimating it from a photo or video – think a “multi-layered” approach.
What social media platforms will be age-restricted?
- Kick
- Snapchat
- Threads
- TikTok
- Twitch
- X (formerly Twitter)
- YouTube
Social media platforms that will not be age-restricted:
- Discord
- GitHub
- Google Classroom
- LEGO Play
- Messenger
- Roblox
- Steam and Steam Chat
- YouTube Kids
LINK TO UPDATED LIST OF RESTRICTED SOCIAL MEDIA APPS
Can I get into trouble if I find a way to create or keep a social media app if I’m a parent or aged under 16?
The simple answer is no – it’s not a ban as such. This means there will be no penalties for under-16s or their parents or carers who access (keep or create) an age-restricted social media platform. However, the tech companies may face hefty penalties instead.
Where can I find support for my under-16 in navigating the new social media age restrictions?
From one parent to another – it’s so difficult to feel like we can protect our kids, particularly online – it’s like the wild west out there! We certainly don’t have all the answers, and we’re asking a lot of questions so that we can best support our own kids. We hope you can keep connecting and communicating with your kids, spending time with them, and helping them navigate and understand the complicated, confusing world that surrounds us in this new online world we’ve created over the last 20-30 years (yes, it has been that long – Facebook has been around for 21 years!).
We know some parents will feel reassured by the new restrictions – it will be one less thing to navigate, and their under-16s will find new ways to connect with their friends. Maybe they’ll find a new hobby or develop their independence by actually catching up with their friends in real life! For others, we know this may be a time when extra support is needed. The link below provides links to support services.
VISIT THIS PAGE FOR LINKS TO FREE SUPPORT SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA
FREE WEBINARS
Sign up to the eSafety Commissioner’s free webinars to learn about the change and for tools to help you understand the changes. There are multiple sessions for both educators and parents and carers.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
S(MAC)K Talk with Wayne Holdsworth | Suicide Prevention Program for Parents & Teens
Maggie Dent has created a page of useful info with links to her blog posts and helpful resources, plus a 4 minute podcast. CLICK HERE
Justin Coulson (Happy Families) touches on what to watch for in kids who are adjusting to the new changes. CLICK HERE
VISIT THE E-SAFETY HUB PAGE FOR MORE INFO
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: eSafety Commission
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