In a groundbreaking regulatory move, Australia has implemented the world’s first comprehensive ban prohibiting minors under 16 from accessing major social media platforms. Tech giant Meta confirmed on December 4, 2025, that it has initiated the removal process of underage users from Instagram, Threads, and Facebook in compliance with the new legislation that takes full effect on December 10.
The Online Safety Act mandates that digital platforms including TikTok and YouTube implement stringent age verification systems, with non-compliant companies facing substantial penalties of up to AU$49.5 million (approximately US$32 million). Meta’s spokesperson acknowledged the complexity of full compliance, stating, “While we are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by December 10, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process.”
The policy has sparked significant controversy across multiple fronts. YouTube has publicly criticized the legislation, arguing that removing account requirements for under-16s would actually diminish safety by eliminating platform-controlled content filters. Meanwhile, digital rights organization The Digital Freedom Project has mounted a legal challenge in Australia’s High Court, contending the ban constitutes an unfair restriction on freedom of speech.
Communications Minister Anika Wells defended the legislation, citing concerning connections between social media algorithms and youth mental health crises. “Some Australian teens had killed themselves as algorithms latched on—targeting them with content that drained their self-esteem,” Wells revealed to reporters. She emphasized that while the law wouldn’t address all internet harms, it would create safer digital environments for adolescents.
The implementation challenges are substantial, with experts anticipating that determined teenagers might employ artificial intelligence to alter their appearance or submit falsified identification documents. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has acknowledged that “no solution is likely to be 100 percent effective” against such circumvention attempts.
With an estimated 350,000 Australian Instagram users aged 13-15 alone, the ban’s impact will be widespread. The legislation exempts certain platforms including WhatsApp, Roblox, and Pinterest, though this list remains under ongoing review. International observers are closely monitoring Australia’s experiment, as Malaysia and New Zealand have indicated plans to introduce similar age restrictions in the coming year.