The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 was enacted by the Australian Parliament in December 2024. Which was obligated to be effected on 10 December 2025. The SMMA Act compels age-restricted social media platforms to not allow children under the age of 16 to have accounts on their platforms.
According to the Australian Government, it supports the best interests of the children. The necessary actions are taken to curb the harmful effects of social media usage on children’s health and well-being.
As reported by the BBC, a government study suggested that 96% of children aged 10-15 used social media, and the majority of them were exposed to harmful content and behavior.
Some rules introduced in July 2025, exempted a few social media platforms, which include those with the primary purpose of messaging, playing games, and platforms that support education and health. There are two bodies and officials responsible for enforcing the SMMA Act, including the eSafety Commissioner and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
The affected platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Kick, Twitch, and Reddit. The list will continue to be updated as per eSafety.
There are no penalties imposed on the underage users, their caretakers, or parents. Though the age-restricted social media platforms are liable to fines and penalties if they fail to take necessary measures. The fine can go up to $49.5 million. But the question arises, is this figure enough? As said by former Facebook executive Stephen Scheeler to AAP, Meta makes about $50 million in revenue in an hour and 52 minutes.
In response, the social media companies are taken aback by the announcement of the ban and argue that it would be difficult to implement and could risk user privacy.
There are several concerns, loopholes, and debates around the decision, its implementation, and the aftereffects. Such as some teens told the BBC they would open new accounts with fake ages. Though the government has warned platforms to have strong detection and removal services for such acts. The surge in use of VPNs is also predicted.
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