Social Media Minimum Age

🤔 What is the Debate?

The law has sparked significant global discussion:
​

• Government/Supporters' View: The law is necessary to protect young Australians from harmful content, online predators, excessive screen time, and mental health risks associated with certain platform design features.
• Critics' View (including some young people, tech companies, and experts): They argue the law is "rushed," may not effectively improve safety, and could push young users to un-regulated corners of the internet (using VPNs or lying about their age). They also raise concerns about the impact on digital rights and the potential for greater privacy intrusion due to increased age verification data collection.

​This new law, called the Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA), is a significant change to the online landscape for young Australians.
​
​Here is a breakdown of the key information:

---

​
📅  Key Details of the New Law

• Effective Date: December 10, 2025.
• Minimum Age: The new minimum age for accounts on age-restricted social media platforms is 16 years old.
• The Onus is on Platforms: The law places the responsibility on the age-restricted social media platforms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping an account.
• No Penalties for Users/Parents: Children under 16 or their parents/carers will not face fines or penalties for using these platforms; the penalties are directed at the platforms themselves. Fines for non-compliance can be up to $49.5 million.

📱 Which Platforms Are Affected?

The minimum age requirement applies to what the law defines as 'age-restricted social media platforms'. These currently include major services such as:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• TikTok
• X (formerly Twitter)
• YouTube
• Threads
• Reddit
• Kick
• Twitch

Excluded Services:

Services that are currently excluded from the minimum age obligation because their sole or primary purpose is different include:

• Messaging (like WhatsApp, Discord and Messenger)
• Online games (like Roblox and Steam)
• Educational or health services (like Google Classroom)
• Professional networking (LinkedIn)
• GitHub
• Pinterest
• YouTube Kids

---

🔎 How Will Age Be Verified?

The eSafety Commissioner has not mandated a single method, but platforms must use "age assurance" methods to verify a user's age and must offer a reasonable alternative to using government-issued ID.

Age assurance methods being used or considered include:

• Checking the age associated with a user's Google or other linked account.
• Using a video selfie or facial age estimation technology.
• Providing government-issued ID (but this must be an optional choice, not mandatory).
• Inferred age based on other data or signals.

Some platforms, like Meta (Facebook/Instagram/Threads) have already begun deactivating or asking suspected underage users to verify their age using a third-party service like Yoti. YouTube has announced it will sign out all Australian users under 16 from December 10, meaning they will lose account-based features like subscriptions and playlists.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How Parents and Young People Can Prepare

The eSafety Commissioner and other youth services recommend focusing on open communication and planning alternative ways to connect before the December 10, 2025 deadline.

1. Have Open and Honest Conversations

• Explain the 'Why': Talk to your child about why the law is changing (e.g., protection from harmful content, excessive screen time, and mental health risks), emphasizing that the rules are about protection, not punishment.
• Listen to Concerns: Validate their feelings if they are worried about losing contact with friends or missing out. Being empathetic helps build trust.
• Map Their Digital World: Work together to list all their social media accounts on the restricted platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.) and identify the groups, communities, and friends they primarily connect with.

2. Secure and Download Content

• Back Up Data: For any accounts that will be deactivated (especially if your child is under 16), ensure they download any content they wish to keep, such as photos, videos, messages, and uploaded files. Platforms are generally not required to keep this content.
• Know the Platform's Plan: While platforms are not required to delete accounts, some (like YouTube) have stated they will sign out/deactivate accounts for under-16s but will hold their data until they turn 16. It is still safest to download content.

3. Plan for Alternatives

• Alternative Communication: Help your child exchange contact information (phone numbers, email, Gamertags) with close friends before December 10.
• Move Group Chats: Shift group chats with friends to non-age-restricted messaging apps like WhatsApp or to platforms focused on gaming like Discord (while still monitoring age-appropriate usage).
• Explore Safe Digital Spaces: Discuss alternative, age-appropriate platforms that focus on their interests, such as:
  • Messaging apps (Messenger, WhatsApp)
  • Online games/communities (Roblox, Steam, etc.)
  • YouTube Kids
  • Educational/Health Services (Headspace, Kids Helpline)

4. Focus on Digital Literacy

• Practice Scenarios: Talk through what they should do if they encounter harmful content on other parts of the internet or messaging apps, such as cyberbullying or explicit material.
• Model Good Habits: As a parent, demonstrate balanced and conscious use of technology and talk openly about how you handle online conflicts or limit your own screen time.

The eSafety Commissioner has released resources specifically for parents and young people to help navigate this change, which can be a valuable guide.

Address the Loophole (Lying About Age)

Be ready to discuss the risk of using VPNs or lying about their age, as many young people and experts predict this will happen.

• Focus on the Privacy Risk: Instead of a threat, focus on the consequences that affect them. Explain that lying about their age means the platforms view them as an adult, and they lose the child protection measures the platforms do have in place.
• Data Security: Explain that if they use an unverified method or a third-party service to circumvent the age check, they might be exposing their phone number, ID, or biometric data (like a face scan) to groups that aren't properly regulated.

​

Ep352

Image created by AI