Australia is about to make one of the biggest changes to social media law anywhere in the world. Many parents love it and plenty of kids will hate it.
The new social media landscape will not just affect kids and parents, it will also have a flow on affects for some businesses.
From 10 December 2025, major social platforms classified as “age-restricted social media services” will be required to block users under 16 from holding an account and implement age-verification processes. Many have started the process already.
While the goal is to protect young people from online harm, the ripple effects will reach beyond kids’ accounts.
Here’s what’s changing and what it means for businesses who use social media to communicate.
The New Social Media Laws
The reforms introduce three key requirements:
Under-16s cannot hold accounts on age-restricted platforms
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X, Reddit and others will need to actively prevent anyone under 16 from creating or maintaining an account. Many platforms are already preparing – Snapchat has been notifying Australian teens about upcoming account locks.
Platforms must verify age with robust methods
This could include bank-linked verification, digital ID, government-endorsed tools or third-party age-estimate technology. Each platform will choose its own method, but the process must become far more stringent.
Heavy penalties for non-compliance
Platforms that don’t meet the new standards face significant fines. This is expected to drive the changes to sign-up screens, privacy workflows and user-experience design across the board.
The platforms affected
The platforms included in the under-16 age restriction are:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- Threads
- X (Twitter)
- YouTube
- Kick (a live-streaming/video platform)
- Twitch (live-streaming platform)
The list can change over time. New platforms can be added and some of the platforms that currently qualify may be reassessed
Platforms not on the restricted list
Many messaging, education, gaming and utility-type platforms are excluded because their sole or primary purpose isn’t considered “social media interaction.” These include:
- Discord
- Steam / Steam Chat
- GitHub
- Google Classroom
- YouTube Kids
- Messenger
- Gaming-oriented platforms such as Roblox or LEGO Play
- Services whose primary purpose is education, health, professional networking (LinkedIn) or information about products/services.
What it means for parents, carers and teens
These changes aim to protect younger people from:
- inappropriate content
- predatory behaviour
- addictive platform design
- algorithmic pressure and mental-health impacts
But the transition won’t be simple.
Families may need to navigate new verification steps
Parents may be asked to verify a child’s age or oversee account closures. Some teens may lose access to communities, hobby groups, creative outlets or social circles they rely on.
Workarounds aren’t necessarily safer
Some young people will likely try to bypass the bans by using VPNs, older friends’ IDs, or shifting to less-regulated apps potentially raising new risks. Open conversations between parents, carers and kids will be critical.
What it means for small businesses and social-media strategy
While most Australian businesses don’t specifically target under-16 audiences, this reform will still affect marketing and content strategies.
A smaller audience pool on certain platforms
If part of your community includes teens (e.g. food brands with younger appeal), reach may shift. Engagement from younger users could decline or move to non-restricted spaces.
Ad targeting may evolve
Platforms might limit demographic targeting options or tighten privacy filters, redefining how advertisers build audiences.
Verification could change how users log in or comment
If platforms introduce extra steps and ID checks, we can expect shifts in behaviour. There will be fewer casual sign-ups, more anonymous browsing and possibly lower comment activity.
Opportunities: more authentic, adult-focused social spaces
With younger users removed from certain platforms:
- Communities may feel more mature or intentional
- Brands targeting 25-55 may see more stable engagement
- Long-form content may perform better
- Trust in social platforms may increase if the reforms succeed
For our clients, we’ll be watching behaviour trends. While core adult audiences will remain stable, messaging may need subtle adjustments as the platforms evolve.
How brands can prepare
Here’s a few suggestions to prepare for the changes:
- Review your target audience mix. If teens are part of your follower base, expect shifts.
- Diversify content formats. Invest in photography, reels/video, stories and search-friendly content (blog posts, Google reviews, email newsletters).
- Monitor platform announcements. Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat are already implementing updates. Understanding their verification approach will help you adapt sooner if needed.
- Prioritise trust and transparency. People will increasingly value safe, reliable communities. Brands who communicate clearly on this will stand out.
- Keep your messaging human. With big regulatory changes coming, audiences respond best to brands that feel real and grounded not salesy.
Leading the Way
Whether you’re a parent trying to understand what your child’s online world will look like or a small business using Instagram or TikTok to connect with customers, these new rules will change the digital landscape.
I can personally see why the Australian government has gone down this path. It certainly positions our country as a leader in the space of protecting kids online. And let’s be real, left to their own devices, the tech companies were never going to self-regulate.
The new laws aren’t perfect. Not everyone will like them and people will inevitably find ways to get around the restrictions. And of course, there are other considerations such as the fact that under-16s are only prevented from holding an account. In many cases they will still be able to view public content without having to log in.
But in a general sense, the new laws offer the Australian community a chance to reset and to build safer, more intentional online spaces. Especially for those members of our community who need this type of leadership and direction the most – our kids.
At KickBack Socials, we’ll be watching the rollout closely and helping clients adjust their social-media strategies as the platforms evolve. If you want support navigating the changes or rethinking your content approach, we’re here to help. Please give us a call.
