Australia Enforces 16-Year Age Limit on Social Media Platforms

Australia is set to enforce a strict age limit of 16 for social media platforms starting December 10, 2023. Following a recent ministerial announcement, major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube will face potential fines of up to **50 million Australian dollars** (approximately **$33 million**) if they fail to effectively remove accounts belonging to users under this age.

Mandatory Reporting and Compliance Measures

Beginning next week, social media companies will be required to report monthly on the number of children’s accounts they close. The Australian eSafety Commissioner will initiate this compliance by sending out notices to the ten targeted platforms on **December 11, 2023**. These notices will continue for a period of six months, demanding accountability in maintaining the age restrictions.

Communications Minister **Anika Wells** addressed the importance of these measures at the National Press Club of Australia, stating, “The government recognises that age assurance may require several days or weeks to complete fairly and accurately.” However, she emphasized that platforms must take reasonable steps to comply. If systemic breaches are identified by the eSafety regulator, these platforms could face significant penalties, with a court determining the maximum fine in cases of repeated violations.

Google announced that starting December 10, users in Australia who are under 16 will be automatically signed out of **YouTube**, losing access to features reserved for account holders. The company will determine the ages of its users based on data from associated Google accounts and other identifying signals. A statement from Google criticized the legislation, arguing that it “misunderstands our platform” and does not adequately protect children online.

Responses from Major Platforms and Advocacy Groups

**Meta**, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, confirmed that it would begin removing suspected underage users from its platforms starting December 7. Those aged 16 and above who are incorrectly removed will have the opportunity to appeal their cases through **Yoti Age Verification**, which will require government-issued identification or a video selfie.

The recent legislation has sparked legal challenges. The **Digital Freedom Project**, a Sydney-based advocacy group, is pursuing a High Court injunction to halt the implementation of the law. As of Wednesday, no court hearing date had been scheduled. Wells reinforced the government’s stance, stating, “Over the coming months, we will fight to defend this law in the High Court because parents … right across Australia asked for government to step up.”

Australia’s initiative aligns with a broader trend, as the **Malaysian government** recently announced plans to prohibit social media accounts for individuals under 16 by 2026. Additionally, European nations, including **France**, **Denmark**, **Greece**, **Romania**, and **New Zealand**, are exploring similar age restrictions for social media platforms.

As Australia moves forward with these regulations, the impact on digital engagement for younger users and the subsequent compliance of major tech companies will be closely monitored.