Archive · 19 Jun 2025
Australia's Teen Social Media Ban Faces Implementation Challenges
Australia is planning to prevent kids under 16 from using social media.
To do this, they're testing software that checks how old people are.
Some teens tried out this software and are unsure it will work because they think they can find ways around it.
They tried different types of age-checking tools, like taking selfies.
The trials showed that some tools could guess ages pretty well, but others weren't very practical.
The government will use the trial results to decide how to enforce the age restrictions, aiming to keep kids safer online.
Australia is preparing to implement a ban on social media for users under 16, with potential fines for non-compliant platforms.
Teenagers participating in trials of age-checking software expressed doubts about its effectiveness and indicated they might find ways to bypass the restrictions.
The age verification software tested included selfie-based products, which proved relatively accurate, and those requiring credit card details, which were less practical.
The trial organizers will present their findings on June 20 and deliver a detailed report to the government by the end of next month.
The eSafety Commissioner will advise the government based on the trial results, which will influence the implementation of social media age restrictions.
- Who
- Australian government, social media platforms (Meta, Snapchat, TikTok), teenagers who participated in the trials, and tech contractors.
- What
- Australia is planning to implement a social media ban for users under 16, and is testing age verification software.
- When
- The trial of the age verification software ended this month, with findings to be presented on June 20 and a detailed report due by the end of next month. The ban is expected to start in December.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- To protect the mental and physical health of young people online.
Advocates of the Ban
Skeptics of the Ban
Effectiveness of the Ban
Advocates of the Ban
Support the ban to protect children from online harms.
Skeptics of the Ban
Express concerns that teenagers might find ways to circumvent the ban
- Fine for non-compliance
- Up to A$49.5 million ($32.17 million)
- Age restriction
- Users must be at least 13 years old
- Software tested
- Age estimation products
- Software type
- Selfie based and basic age-gating
- Trial Participants
- Teenagers