Archive · 14 Dec 2025
Australians shift to alternative apps after teen social media ban
In Australia, teens under 16 can no longer use popular social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
This is because the government has banned these apps, saying they might be harmful.
Since the ban started, many teens have turned to other apps like Lemon8, Yope, Coverstar, and RedNote.
Even WhatsApp has seen more young users.
The government wants tech companies to check users' ages and remove teen accounts.
Some apps, like Yope, have asked for special permission because they think they should not be included in the ban.
The prime minister says this is a big step to protect families from powerful tech companies.
Australia has banned under-16s from using popular social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Lemon8, Yope, Coverstar, and RedNote have seen a surge in downloads as alternatives.
Tech companies must verify users' ages and report progress in deactivating teen accounts.
Yope has requested an exemption, claiming it is primarily for private messaging.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls the ban a world-leading step to protect families.
- Who
- Australian teens under 16 and alternative app providers
- What
- Shift to lesser-known apps due to social media ban
- When
- Ban effective from December 10
- Where
- Australia
- Why
- To protect teens from potentially harmful content
- Ban Effective Date
- December 10
- Most Downloaded Lifestyle App
- Lemon8
- Second Most Downloaded App
- Yope
- Third Most Downloaded App
- Coverstar
- Fourth Most Downloaded App
- RedNote (Xiaohongshu)
- Benefiting Messaging App
- Number of Teen Accounts to Deactivate
- Over one million
- Instagram Users Aged 13-15 in Australia
- About 350,000
