Archive · 5 Dec 2025
TikTok to Comply with Australia's Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Australia is making a new rule that stops kids under 16 from joining social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
This rule starts on December 10.
TikTok said it will follow the rule and block kids under 16.
If a kid already has an account, it will be closed, and their posts will be taken down.
Kids can try to prove they are older to get their account back.
Some people think this is a good idea to keep kids safe, but others think it takes away their freedom to speak.
Other countries like Malaysia and New Zealand might do something similar.
Australia's ban on under-16s joining social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, comes into effect on December 10.
TikTok will block under-16s and deactivate existing accounts of teens, removing their published content.
Teens can appeal to prove their age using facial images, credit card authorization, or official ID.
Communications Minister Anika Wells cited concerns about social media algorithms targeting teens with harmful content.
The Digital Freedom Project has challenged the ban in Australia's High Court, calling it an unfair assault on freedom of speech.
- Who
- TikTok, Australian Government, Digital Freedom Project
- What
- Ban on under-16s from joining social media platforms
- When
- December 10
- Where
- Australia
- Why
- To protect young users from potential harms of social media
- Ban Effective Date
- December 10
- Fines for Non-Compliance
- Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million)
- Appeal Methods
- Facial images, credit card authorization, official ID
- Affected Platforms
- TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
- Legal Challenge
- Digital Freedom Project
- Similar Bans
- Malaysia, New Zealand
