Australia’s social media age limit: Everything you need to know about the new laws

The days of young kids scrolling endlessly through Instagram reels, filming clips for TikTok and staying up late watching Youtube videos could soon be over as Anthony Albanese pursues an age limit for social media.

The Federal Government will later this month introduce laws to prevent kids under-16 from accessing the popular platforms in what Mr Albanese is promoting as a world-first reform to shield young Australians from online harm.

“Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians, and I am calling time on it. The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority,” Mr Albanese said.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Which apps will the ban apply to?

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat will all be classed as “age restricted” platforms under the new laws, meaning users under-16 would be blocked from accessing them.

Things are little more complex for Youtube.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has signalled that while under-16s might be banned from the main YouTube website, YouTube Kids might be exempt.

What if I give my child permission to use them?

Doesn’t matter, the restrictions would still apply even if underage users have parental consent.

The age limit also won’t be “grandfathered” in, meaning children under-16 who are already using the apps won’t be exempt.

Who enforces the age limit?

The platforms.

Under the laws – which are yet to be released – the onus will be on the social media companies to take “reasonable steps” to stop children under-18 from accessing their sites.

Underage users won’t be punished if they manage to breach the ban, but companies will face financial penalties if found to be flouting their responsibilities

And what if the companies don’t play ball?

“Every company that operates in Australia, whether domiciled here or otherwise, is expected and must comply with Australian law or face the consequences,” Ms Rowland said.

How will the platforms verify my child’s age?

Good question – and one the Government can’t really answer at this point.

A trial of age verification technology is due to start next year, which Ms Rowland said would inform how companies dealt with the issue.

Asked if all Australians should be prepared to have their faces scanned or be forced to share documents to prove their age, Ms Rowland said: “This is exactly what the age assurance trial is informing”.

The Government has promised strict privacy protections around any information handed to the tech companies.

When does it start?

The minimum age limit will start 12 months after the laws pass the Federal Parliament.

That could happen reasonably quickly given the federal Opposition support setting a social media age limit at 16.

The 12-month lead-in would give the Government, industry, regulators, parents and children prepare for the new regime.

What do the tech giants say?

Meta – the parent company for Instagram and Facebook – want the Government to pursue a different approach that puts the onus on app stores, rather than the platforms, to verify users’ age.

The Prime Minister isn’t convinced.

“We think we’ve got the proposal right. We expect that there’ll be some opposition to it. That’s not surprising,” he said.

What about the experts?

Experts are sceptical the age limit can work.

Queensland University of Technology digital media research centre director Daniel Angus said teens would find ways to circumvent the rules and would become more vulnerable to online harms.

“It’s a band-aid solution that will backfire,” he said.