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| A frustrated female parent trying to log in Photo Meta Ai |
In an effort to protect young Australians, the government has introduced new laws that will require social media platforms to implement age verification for all users. Starting December 10, 2025, platforms will need to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from creating or keeping accounts. However, this means that all Australian social media users, regardless of age, will likely be impacted.
What Does This Mean for You?
To enforce the age restriction, platforms may use various methods, including
- Facial Age Estimation Technology: analyzing facial features to estimate age
- Matching Photos with Photo ID: verifying age by matching user-submitted photos with government-issued ID
- Bank or Mobile Provider Information: confirming age using bank or mobile provider data
- Alternative Methods: other non-government ID methods, such as behavioral signals or biometrics
Concerns and Implications
While the intention is to protect young Australians, the new laws raise concerns about:
- Privacy: will social media platforms handle user data securely?
- Data Security: how will sensitive information be protected?
- Impact on Online Freedom: will age verification infringe on adults’ online rights?
Government’s Stance
The government emphasizes that no Australian will be forced to use government identification as the sole means of verification. However, the exact methods and mechanisms for age verification are still being developed ³.
What’s Next?
As the laws take effect on December 10, 2025, social media platforms will need to implement age verification measures. The Australian government will continue to provide guidance on what constitutes “reasonable steps” to ensure compliance ⁴.
Stay informed and join the conversation about the impact of these new laws on Australian social media users.
The new social media age restrictions in Australia will likely affect older users and those with existing social media accounts in some way. Here’s what you need to know ¹ ² ³:
- Age Verification for All Users: To ensure under-16s are kept off platforms, social media companies will likely need to verify the age of all users, including adults. This might involve various methods such as facial age estimation, matching photos with photo ID, or using bank or mobile provider information.
- No Government ID Requirement: The Australian government has clarified that no one will be forced to use government identification as the sole means of verification. Platforms must offer alternative age assurance methods.
- Existing Accounts: The requirements will apply to existing account holders under the minimum age, as well as new accounts being established.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance: Social media platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from having accounts may face penalties of up to $49.5 million. However, there won’t be any penalties for individuals or parents who provide access to age-restricted platforms for children under 16.
- Guidelines and Implementation: The eSafety Commissioner will formulate guidelines for reasonable steps that social media platforms must take to prevent age-restricted users from having accounts. The guidelines will be informed by the Age Assurance Technology Trial, which is currently underway.
Some of the affected platforms include ³ ¹:
- X (formerly Twitter)
The exact implementation details are still being worked out, but it’s clear that social media platforms will need to take steps to ensure compliance with the new age restrictions
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