Why Australia Is Banning Social Media for Under-16s

Starting December 10, social media companies in Australia will have to take “reasonable steps” to make sure kids under 16 cannot make accounts. They will also have to remove existing under-16 accounts.

This rule applies to:

• Instagram

• TikTok

• Snapchat

• Facebook

• YouTube

• Reddit

• X (formerly Twitter)

• Twitch

• Kick

• Threads

To read more about why the Australian government decided to act visit this article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjllx7pwn4po

What the research showed

• 96% of kids ages 10–15 use social media

• 7 out of 10 said they saw harmful content

  • examples: violent videos, misogynistic posts, eating disorder content, self-harm or suicide content

• 1 in 7 said someone had tried to groom them

• More than half said they’d been cyberbullied

The government said this content is everywhere, and kids often see it even when they aren’t looking for it. They also said many apps are designed to keep kids scrolling longer, which can affect their health and mental well-being.

To enforce the ban, companies may use tools like:

• ID checks

• Face or voice recognition

• AI that guesses age based on behavior

Kids and parents will not be punished for breaking the rule—only the companies will.

Europe Is Also Moving Toward Similar Rules

Europe hasn’t banned kids from social media, but the European Parliament recently passed a resolution pushing for stronger protections for kids online. This includes exploring ideas like:

• Stricter age checks

• Limits on harmful content

• Possible under-16 rules in the future

You can read this article here:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/26/social-media-ban-under-16s-european-parliament-resolution

Some European countries, like Denmark and Norway, have already said they are considering bans for kids under 15. France recommended a ban for under-15s plus a “curfew” for 15–18-year-olds

Why This Matters to Families in the United States

Even though these laws aren't happening here, they show that many countries now believe:

• Social media can be unsafe for kids

• Apps aren’t protecting children well enough

• Parents need help setting boundaries

In the U.S., there is no national rule about how old kids must be to use social media, so each family has to make decisions on their own.

Here’s what U.S. parents may want to keep in mind:

What U.S. Parents Should Do Right Now

1. Talk openly with your kids about what they see online

Studies show harmful content is extremely common. Having regular conversations helps kids know what to do if something scares them or makes them uncomfortable.

2. Check which apps your child is actually using

Some kids use:

• Finstas (fake Instagram accounts)

• Gaming chats that work like social media

• Anonymous chatting apps

If they can message people or share videos, it counts as social media.

3. Put safety settings on devices

Use:

• Apple Screen Time

• Google Family Link

• Router filters (like Gryphon or Eero Secure)

• Safe search settings on Google, YouTube, and TikTok

These tools won’t solve every problem, but they lower risks.

4. Be aware of AI chatbots

Europe raised concerns about AI systems that:

• Talk to kids in inappropriate ways

• Encourage risky behavior

• Give unsafe advice

Teach kids:

• AI is not a real friend

• AI can make mistakes

• Never share personal information with it

5. Prepare for possible changes from social media companies

Because Australia and Europe are making new rules, companies may soon start asking U.S. users for:

• Selfies

• Video age checks

• Parental verification

Talk with your child so they’re not surprised if this happens.

Final Thoughts

Other countries are taking big steps because the online world has changed fast—and kids are often seeing things they’re not ready for.

You don’t have to ban everything. You don’t have to supervise every minute. But staying involved, staying curious, and talking with your child often can make a huge difference.