Australia social media ban: when is it, how will it work and what apps are being banned for under-16s?

"Australia's world-first social media ban for children under the age of 16 is just a week away. The tech platforms large and small are working on functionality that will kick off existing under-16 account holders and prevent any new ones from signing up. But how will it work, what happens to those accounts and what can people do if they are wrongly banned?"

"Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Kick were named in the initial list, which now includes: Facebook Instagram TikTok Snapchat X (Twitter) YouTube Reddit Twitch Kick Threads Threads is also covered as an Instagram account is required to use the app."

"The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, told Senate estimates it will be up to platforms to assess themselves and determine if they need to comply. X alternative, Bluesky, for example, had been assessed as very low risk due to only having around 50,000 Australian users and very few young people. If a service is deemed of large enough size for an Australian audience, it may be asked to assess itself and seek clarification from eSafety growing the list as time goes on. That is ultimately up to the platform to decide."

Australia will implement a ban preventing children under 16 from using specified social media services. Platforms must remove existing under-16 accounts and block new sign-ups for those users. Named services include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Kick and Threads, with the list remaining dynamic and expandable if teens migrate to other services. Platforms are expected to assess whether they must comply and may be asked to seek clarification from the eSafety commissioner. The government requires that requesting ID cannot be the sole method of age verification.

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