Communications Minister Anika Wells told the National Press Club that authorities acknowledge the process of verifying a user’s age can be complex and sometimes lengthy. Platforms will be given a short window to establish internal systems, but regulators will not hesitate to seek sanctions if widespread non-compliance emerges.
Google, owner of YouTube, announced that users in Australia identified as under 16 will be automatically signed out of YouTube on 10 December. Those accounts will lose access to features such as playlists, commenting and video uploads, which are reserved for registered users. The company said it will determine age eligibility using information from connected Google accounts and “other signals,” reflecting industry concern about balancing accuracy with privacy protections.
Meta, which operates Facebook, Instagram and Threads, plans to begin removing suspected under-age accounts on 5 December, several days before the enforcement deadline. Users who are 16 or older and believe they were removed by mistake will be able to restore access through third-party service Yoti Age Verification by submitting a government-issued identification document or a video selfie.
Although the legislation passed earlier this year with broad parliamentary support, it faces an eleventh-hour legal challenge. The Sydney-based Digital Freedom Project has signaled its intention to seek an injunction in the High Court, arguing that the law is overly restrictive and infringes on digital rights. A court date had not been scheduled by Wednesday, leaving uncertainty over whether a temporary halt might occur before the rules enter into force.
Globally, governments are paying closer attention to the age at which children can open social media accounts, citing concerns about online grooming, privacy and mental health. Malaysia recently declared that all social media users must be at least 16 starting in 2026. According to a briefing note from the European Commission, several EU member states—among them France, Denmark, Greece and Romania—are also studying minimum-age requirements, and international bodies such as the OECD have urged nations to adopt clear standards.
Twitch was included in Australia’s restricted-platform list only in late November, bringing the total to ten. Smaller services and online games that allow user-generated content are not automatically covered, but they could become subject to similar reporting requests if the eSafety Commissioner believes under-age participation is prevalent.
Monthly compliance data will be published in aggregate form, allowing parents, schools and policymakers to monitor how effectively companies are removing prohibited accounts. The government says public transparency is essential to maintain pressure on platforms, many of which already state in their terms of service that users must be at least 13, but historically have relied on self-declaration for age confirmation.
Australia’s approach differs from the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which places broad obligations on “very large online platforms” but leaves specific age-limit decisions to member states. By setting a nationwide minimum at 16 and introducing substantial financial penalties, Canberra aims to make social media firms invest in stronger age-verification systems, such as document checks, facial-analysis technology or verified payment methods.
Minister Wells signaled the government’s readiness to defend the legislation if challenged, noting widespread public support from parents who want additional safeguards for younger users. She emphasized that the measure does not prevent teenagers aged 16 or 17 from using social media but seeks to ensure they do so within a framework that recognizes legal accountability and parental oversight.
The enforcement campaign will be closely watched by technology companies, civil-liberties advocates and foreign regulators. If the policy withstands court scrutiny and produces measurable reductions in under-age usage, it could serve as a template for other jurisdictions contemplating similar restrictions.
Crédito da imagem: Associated Press
