Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban: What Parents Need to Know (December 2025)

Family & Internet Blog | MATE | 20 November 2025

Attention parents! If you’ve got a teen or tween constantly glued to their screens, you’re about to see a massive shake-up in their digital world. Starting December 10, 2025, Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s kicks into gear, and it’s got plenty of people talking.

We’ve gotta admit, this is a pretty big deal. Meta has already started sending notices to teens that their accounts are on borrowed time, with deactivations beginning from December 4. The Prime Minister reckons it’s all about “letting kids be kids” – but what does it actually mean for your family?

What’s Actually Happening?

Let’s break it down plain and simple: From December 10, kids under 16 will be blocked from accessing nine major social platforms:

Facebook
Instagram
Kick
Reddit
Snapchat
Threads
TikTok
X (formerly Twitter)
YouTube (main platform)

Not on the banned list are platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, Discord, Roblox, and YouTube Kids – though the Communications Minister has said this list will “evolve over time.”

Social media companies that don’t take “reasonable steps” to keep the youngsters out face whopping fines of up to $50 million. That’s why Meta’s not mucking around – they’re already telling users between 13-15 that their accounts are getting the chop.

What This Means for Your Kids

Have you ever sat down and really thought about how your teen’s daily life revolves around these platforms? It’s more than just mindless scrolling – for many young Aussies, it’s their primary way of connecting.

For boarding school students especially, this is a massive concern. As Cleo, a 14-year-old boarding student thousands of kilometers from her family in Papua New Guinea puts it: “That’s just how we all interact with each other nowadays. We don’t have each other’s [phone] numbers.”

The timing’s a bit tricky too, the ban kicks in just before summer holidays when many kids are away from their usual social circles. Experts suggest teens might struggle with the sudden disconnection from their digital communities, especially during a period when maintaining friendships is already challenging.

What Parents Need to Do Right Now

Sounds overwhelming? We hear you! Here’s your step-by-step guide to navigating this digital shakeup:

Have The Conversation Early

Don’t wait until accounts start disappearing. Sit down with your under-16s now and explain what’s happening. Many teens are in the dark about these changes or don’t fully understand what platforms will be affected and when.

Help Them Save Their Digital Memories

Meta’s giving users the chance to download and save their posts, messages, and videos before deactivation. Make sure your teen doesn’t lose those precious memories. Help them backup anything important. They can also register to be contacted when they turn 16 to have their accounts reinstated.

Establish Alternative Communication Channels

Work out how your teen will stay in touch with friends and family. Remember that platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Discord are still allowed, so consider shifting communication there. Better yet, maybe it’s time to actually exchange those good old phone numbers!

Prepare for the Emotional Impact

Let’s be real, for many teens, this will feel like their social lifeline is being cut. There might be anxiety, frustration, or feelings of isolation. Create space for those emotions and remind them it’s temporary, they’ll get access back when they turn 16.

The Parents’ Guide to Managing the Transition

Understanding the Age Verification Process

Meta’s taking this seriously with multiple verification methods. If your teen claims they’re old enough for these platforms, they’ll need to prove it through:

A “video selfie” for facial age scans
A driver’s licence or government-issued ID
Other verification methods such as Yoti’s age assurance verification

Worth noting: Meta’s cautioned that “teens are resourceful, and may attempt to circumvent age assurance measures.” So keep an eye out for workarounds your clever cookie might try!

Creating a Healthy Digital Environment

This ban gives families a chance to reset digital habits. Rather than viewing it as just a restriction, see it as an opportunity to:

Establish tech-free zones at home
Explore alternative offline activities together
Use allowed platforms mindfully
Build healthy screen time habits before they return to full social media access

Keeping Communication Open

Mia Garlick, Meta’s regional policy director, suggests: “We also ask parents to work with their children to ensure the correct birth date is registered on their social media accounts.”

Beyond just the logistics, keep chatting about the digital world. Ask what they miss about social media, what alternatives they’ve found, and how they’re staying connected with friends.

Why Is This Happening Anyway?

Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, says the ban aims to protect teens “from pressures and risks they can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts.”

The government’s view is that while social media offers connection, it also exposes young people to content they might not be ready for, endless comparison cycles, and potential harm from strangers.

Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledges it’s not perfect, saying: “We know this law will not be perfect, but it is too important not to have a crack.” She’s also clear that “the onus is not on parents to deliver this law. The onus is on the social media platforms.”

Looking Forward: The Big Picture

This isn’t just about banning social media – it’s about rethinking how our kids grow up in the digital world.

While the government focuses on platform access, the real challenge for us parents is helping our kids develop healthy digital habits that’ll serve them well when they eventually do get full access. Because let’s face it – whether it’s at 16 or beyond, social media will be part of their world.

The good news? Meta says when teens turn 16 and can access apps again, “all your content will be available exactly as you left it.” So this isn’t about erasing digital identities – just putting them on hold.

What’s Your Next Move?

At the end of the day, this ban is coming whether we like it or not. The question is: how will your family navigate it?

As parents, we’ve got a real opportunity here to help shape our kids’ relationship with technology. It might be challenging, but with the right support and alternatives in place, our teens can emerge with healthier digital habits and a better understanding of life beyond the scroll.

Have you started preparing your family for the December social media shakeup? We’d love to hear how you’re planning to tackle it!