Many Australian children under 16 are expected to try to bypass the upcoming social media ban, but questions have arisen about whether they could face consequences for doing so.
From December 10, Australia’s world-first ban will raise the minimum age for using platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, X, YouTube, Twitch and Kick. The eSafety Commission will be responsible for enforcing the new rules and issuing penalties for non-compliance.
However, there are no penalties for children under 16 who access restricted platforms, nor for their parents or guardians. Officials say the ban is intended to protect young people, not punish them.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant acknowledged that some teenagers will try to get around the restrictions, saying, “Some of that is going to happen, but that’s what teenagers do.”
Instead, the responsibility lies entirely with social media companies. Platforms must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from accessing their services, including removing existing accounts, blocking new account creation, and preventing workarounds.
If a platform fails to comply, courts may impose significant civil penalties, including fines of up to $49.5 million.
The eSafety Commission will oversee monitoring and enforcement, and may pursue court action if necessary. Inman Grant noted that companies have been repeatedly warned and that her enforcement powers formally begin on December 10.
