Changes are being made to the minimum age at which people can set up social media accounts. The information below is copied from an email sent to school principals across Australia from the esafety Commissioner.
More information can be found at the esafety Commissioner's website
To help the online industry and the public to prepare for the Social Media Minimum Age obligation, eSafety has considered whether certain services are likely to be ‘age-restricted social media platforms’ and are therefore required to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from having social media accounts from 10 December 2025. Earlier today, we announced an update to the list of services that, in eSafety’s view, we consider will be age-restricted social media platforms. These platforms include:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Kick
- Reddit
- Snapchat
- Threads
- TikTok
- X
- YouTube
We also announced an update to the list of services that, in eSafety’s view, we consider will not be age-restricted social media platforms on the basis they do not currently meet the criteria for ‘age-restricted social media platform’. These platforms include:
- Discord
- GitHub
- Google Classroom
- LEGO Play
- Messenger
- Roblox
- Steam and Steam Chat
- WhatsApp
- YouTube Kids
From 10 December, eSafety expects all age-restricted platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australian children under the age of 16 from having accounts. Any age restricted platforms which fail to do so may face enforcement action, including civil penalties of up to $49.5 million.
Technology changes quickly, so eSafety won’t publish a fixed list of age-restricted companies. Instead, eSafety will regularly share updated guidance on its website about how it assesses services and enforces compliance. When new platforms appear or the sole, primary or significant purpose of existing ones change significantly, they may be assessed again.
No online platform or service is risk-free, especially for children. Young people can still be exposed to harmful conduct such as cyberbullying and being asked to share nudes, and to content that’s inappropriate for their age like pornography and violent material.
You can always check the eSafety guide which is regularly updated with information and guidance on social media, games, apps and sites.