From 10 December, under-16s in Australia will be banned from using major social media services including Tiktok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads.
They will not be able to set up new accounts, and existing profiles must be deactivated.
The ban – the first of its kind – is being watched closely by other countries.
Why is the Australian government banning social media for under-16s?
The government says it will reduce the negative impact of social media’s “design features that encourage [young people] to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing”.
A study it commissioned earlier in 2025 found that 96% of children aged 10-15 used social media, and that seven out of 10 of them had been exposed to harmful content. This included misogynistic and violent material as well as content promoting eating disorders and suicide.
One in seven also reported experiencing grooming-type behaviour from adults or older children, and more than half said they had been the victim of cyberbullying.
Which social media platforms are covered by the Australian ban?
Ten platforms are currently included: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch.
The government assesses potential sites against three main criteria:
whether the platform’s sole or “significant purpose” is to enable online social interaction between two or more users;
whether it allows users to interact with some or all other users; and
whether it allows users to post material
YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp are not covered as they are not deemed to meet those criteria.
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