At a Glance
- Australia's social media ban for under-16s begins December 10, 2025.
- eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says kids' accounts will be deactivated, not deleted.
- YouTube is now included in the ban.
- Critics warn of privacy risks and kids shifting to less safe apps.
Hi, Francis here . You've probably heard that in Australia, starting this December, kids under 16 won't be able to use social media apps like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram - and now even YouTube. This Article is about how kids (like me) actually feel about the upcomaing 'Ban'.
It's one of the strictest bans in the world, and everyone at school is talking about it. Here's what it feels like from a kid's perspective.
Why the ban feels so big
For kids my age, social media isn't just apps, it's how we:
- Chat with friends after school, especially in group chats.
- Share funny stuff like memes, streaks, and short videos.
- Keep up with sports and gaming highlights.
- How we make plans to meet up
- Share cool things are happining in our lives
So when you hear that apps we use every day might suddenly disappear, it feels like being told: "No more playground after December."
What kids are saying
I've been asking my friends about the upcoming ban, and here's what I'm hearing most:
"We'll just move to iMessage." Many kids say they'll go back to basics - texting, FaceTime, maybe WhatsApp.
"It's annoying, but not the end of the world." Most of my friends are frustrated, its not like we are worrying about it. It kinda doesn't feel very real yet.
"There'll always be a workaround." Some kids are already joking about VPNs or using their parents' logins.
"New apps will pop up." That's the biggest expectation. If something gets banned, kids think another app will take its place.
"Why?!?! Its not like Snap is that bad. I spend more time playing Clash." We have heard stories from our parents about how Snap can be dangerous, and we see kids spending way too much time on Tiktok, but for my group of friends, Snap is nothing but fun.
What the rules actually say
The law - the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 - comes into force on 10 December 2025. Social media companies will have to take "reasonable steps" to deactivate accounts of kids under 16 or risk fines of up to A$49.5 million.
Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, explained it this way:
<picture> <source type="image/avif" srcset="/img/articles/006/esafety-commissioner-julie-inman-grant.avif" /> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/img/articles/006/esafety-commissioner-julie-inman-grant.webp" /> <img src="/img/articles/006/esafety-commissioner-julie-inman-grant.png" alt="Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner" style="width: 300px; height: 200px; object-fit: cover; border-radius: 12px; margin: 16px 0;" /> </picture>"We know 95% of Australian 10- to 15-year-olds currently hold at least one social media account. Companies must detect and deactivate these accounts from 10 December. But don't expect all under-16s to be scrubbed overnight. It's more accurate to frame this as a social media delay."
How will it be enforced?
The government tested different age-assurance technologies earlier this year, including ID checks and AI-based age estimation. The results showed that some tools worked well, but others had big issues - especially around accuracy and privacy.
- Platforms must use these tools to verify age, but how each company does it is still being decided.
- The eSafety office is currently consulting with tech companies, experts, and even kids about what "reasonable steps" should look like.
- Accounts won't be deleted right away - they'll be deactivated, meaning locked until the user can prove they're 16 or older.
The criticism
Not everyone thinks the ban is a good idea. Some experts and parents are worried that:
- Kids will move to less safe, unregulated apps instead of mainstream ones.
- Age-verification tools could store too much data or misidentify kids, blocking some unfairly.
- It won't solve core issues like bullying or harmful content - those problems will still exist.
As a kid, I can see both sides. I get why adults want us safe. But I also know that banning doesn't stop kids being online, if anything it might backfire and we will start using other apps.
My take
For me and my friends, this isn't the end of social media. It just means:
- We'll probably move more to iMessage monitoring for parents, FaceTime, and private chats.
- Some kids will definitely try workarounds.
- The real question is whether we'll be safer, or if the 'Ban' just pushes us into using messaging apps.
Final thought
The ban is coming. Kids can't control that. What we can control is what we do as a result. Some things will be frustrating, but maybe we'll also find better ways to talk with each other.
For parents: don't assume the ban solves everything. Kids will still be online - and they'll still need your help to stay safe, happy, and balanced in whatever new apps they use. Learn more about How's My Child to help support your kids through these changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the under-16 social media ban start in Australia? A: From 10 December 2025, platforms must deactivate under-16 accounts or risk heavy fines.
Q: Which apps are included in the ban? A: Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, Reddit, LinkedIn - and now YouTube. Messaging apps like iMessage and WhatsApp are not banned.
Q: Will kids get in trouble for using banned apps? A: No. The law targets social media companies, not children. Kids won't be fined or punished.
