Social Media: Children under 16 will not be able to use social media in Australia, the law comes into effect from December 10...

The Australian government is taking a major step to protect children from online dangers. Starting next week, a 16-year age limit will be implemented on social media platforms. This means Australian children under 16 will not be able to officially create accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms.

Strict regulations will apply to 10 platforms.
The government has placed a total of 10 platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Twitch, under the new regulations. Starting December 10th, if these companies fail to take appropriate steps to remove accounts belonging to children under 16, they could face fines of up to US$33 million (approximately ₹300 crore).

Monthly Deleted Accounts Will Be Required
Australia has appointed an e-Safety Commissioner to monitor teen accounts. Starting December 11th, these platforms will send notices to all platforms in Australia, asking them how many minor accounts they have removed. This information will have to be provided monthly for six consecutive months.

Communications Minister Anneka Wells stated that the age verification process could take a few days or weeks, but if platforms violate the rules, strict action will be taken against them.

Google and Meta Prepare to Remove Teen Accounts
Google announced that starting December 10, children under the age of 16 will no longer be able to log into YouTube accounts in Australia. Such users will be automatically signed out of their accounts. They will also lose features like playlists and saved videos. The company will determine age based on data and other signals.

Meanwhile, Google says the law has been hastily drafted and will not fully ensure the safety of children. Meta also stated that it will begin removing suspected minor accounts starting Thursday.

Other countries around the world are also enacting regulations.
Given the increasing risks to online safety for teens, some other countries are also preparing to enact new laws. In a similar vein, Malaysia has announced a ban on social media accounts for children under 16 starting in 2026. The European Commission, France, Denmark, Greece, Romania, and New Zealand are also considering similar regulations. Australia's move could set new standards for social media platforms globally.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.