Australian Under-16s Social Media Ban Takes Effect, Platforms Implement Age Restrictions
Australia has enacted a social media ban targeting users under the age of 16, with platforms required to restrict access and comply with new regulations. From 10 December, YouTube will sign out users under 16, allowing them only to watch videos without account-based features such as subscriptions, playlists, likes, wellbeing settings, and supervision controls. While YouTube will comply with the ban, Google has expressed concerns that the law may not improve safety or accurately reflect how teenagers use the internet, although it has not publicly commented on any potential legal challenges.
Lemon8, a newer social app initially not included in the ban, will also impose restrictions on users under 16 starting 10 December. The eSafety Commissioner has monitored Lemon8 for possible inclusion under the ban and expects it to restrict access to users over 16. The Australian government has signaled that more platforms may be added to the ban if under-16 users migrate to other services.
Enforcement of the ban may take days or weeks to fully implement. Platforms face fines of up to $50 million for failing to remove under-16 users. The eSafety Commissioner will request information from platforms on 11 December and collect user data monthly to ensure compliance. Government officials, including Wells, have defended the rules, emphasizing the measures' goal to protect children and asserting that platforms must comply.
