Australia is about to introduce one of the biggest changes to social media law anywhere in the world. Many parents will welcome it and plenty of teenagers probably won’t.
The new laws won’t just affect kids and families. They’ll also create flow-on effects for businesses that rely on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to communicate with customers and grow their audience online.
From 10 December 2025, major platforms classified as “age-restricted social media services” will be required to prevent users under 16 from holding accounts and implement stronger age-verification systems. Many platforms have already started preparing for the changes.
While the goal is to better protect young people from online harm, the ripple effects will extend far beyond children’s accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Australia’s new social media laws will require major platforms to block users under 16 from holding accounts from December 2025.
- Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat will need stronger age-verification systems for Australian users.
- The changes are designed to improve online safety for children and teenagers, but they may also change how people use social media platforms.
- Small businesses could see shifts in audience behaviour, engagement and advertising as platforms adapt to the new laws.
- Businesses that invest in authentic, search-friendly content and diversified marketing strategies will be better positioned as the digital landscape evolves.
What Are Australia’s New Social Media Laws?
The reforms introduce three major requirements for social media platforms operating in Australia.
Under-16s will not be allowed to hold accounts on restricted platforms
Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X and Reddit will need to actively prevent anyone under 16 from creating or maintaining an account.
Some platforms have already begun preparing for the changes, with reports of Australian teens receiving notifications about future account restrictions and verification requirements.
Platforms must introduce stronger age-verification systems
Platforms will need to implement more robust age-checking measures. Depending on the platform, this could include:
- digital ID verification
- third-party age-estimation technology
- bank-linked verification
- government-endorsed verification systems
Each platform may approach the process differently, but the days of simply entering a birth date are likely coming to an end.
Heavy penalties for non-compliance
Platforms that fail to meet the new standards could face significant financial penalties.
As a result, we’re likely to see major changes to sign-up systems, privacy settings, moderation tools and user experience design across social media platforms.
Which Platforms Will Be Affected?
The platforms currently expected to fall under the under-16 restrictions include:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- Threads
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Kick
- Twitch
The list may evolve over time as legislation and classifications are refined.
Platforms Likely to Be Exempt
Some messaging, gaming, education and utility-focused platforms are expected to remain outside the restricted category because their primary purpose is not considered traditional social media interaction. These may include:
- Discord
- Steam
- GitHub
- Google Classroom
- YouTube Kids
- Messenger
- Roblox
- LEGO Play
The government may continue refining which platforms are included or exempt as the laws roll out.
What the Changes Mean for Parents and Teens
The reforms are designed to help protect younger users from:
- inappropriate or harmful content
- predatory behaviour
- addictive platform design
- algorithm-driven pressure
- negative mental health impacts
But the transition may not be straightforward.
Families may face new verification processes
Parents and carers may need to navigate new identity and age-verification systems. In some cases, they may also need to oversee account closures or restricted access.
For many teenagers, social media is also tied to friendships, creative outlets, hobby communities and support networks. Losing access could have social impacts as well.
Workarounds may create new risks
Some young people will inevitably attempt to bypass restrictions using VPNs, borrowed IDs or alternative platforms. That could potentially push users towards less regulated online spaces rather than eliminating the risks entirely.
Open conversations between parents, carers and young people will remain critical.
What the New Laws Mean for Small Business
Even if your business doesn’t directly target teenagers, these reforms could still affect your social media strategy and audience behaviour.
A smaller audience pool on some platforms
Businesses with younger follower bases may see declines in reach or engagement as under-16 users disappear from certain platforms or move elsewhere. This may particularly affect:
- food and beverage brands
- entertainment businesses
- retail and fashion brands
- sports and recreation businesses
Advertising and targeting may change
Platforms may tighten demographic targeting and privacy controls as part of compliance. That could change how businesses build audiences and run paid advertising campaigns.
User behaviour may shift
If logging in and interacting becomes more heavily verified, we may also see:
- fewer casual sign-ups
- lower comment activity
- more passive browsing behaviour
- greater focus on trusted communities
Opportunities for Businesses
The changes may also create opportunities for brands targeting adult audiences. If younger users spend less time on certain platforms, businesses may find:
- communities become more mature and intentional
- engagement from 25–55 audiences becomes more stable
- long-form educational content performs better
- trust in social platforms improves over time
For many businesses, this could encourage a shift toward higher-quality content and stronger community building rather than chasing viral trends.
How Businesses Can Prepare
Here are a few practical ways businesses can prepare for Australia’s changing social media landscape.
Review your audience mix
If teenagers form part of your audience, expect shifts in engagement and reach over time.
Diversify your content strategy
Investing in multiple content formats will become increasingly important, including:
- short-form video
- photography
- stories and reels
- blog content
- Google reviews
- email marketing
Search-friendly content outside social media platforms may become even more valuable.
Monitor platform updates
Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and other platforms are already introducing changes. Understanding how each platform approaches verification and compliance will help businesses adapt faster.
Prioritise trust and transparency
As online safety becomes a bigger public conversation, audiences are likely to place greater value on businesses and communities that feel trustworthy, authentic and transparent.
Keep your messaging human
During periods of major platform and regulatory change, audiences tend to respond best to businesses that feel genuine and relatable rather than overly polished or sales-driven.
A Major Shift in Australia’s Digital Landscape
Whether you’re a parent trying to understand what your child’s online world may look like in the future or a business using social media to connect with customers, these changes represent a significant shift in Australia’s digital landscape.
I can personally understand why the Australian government has chosen this direction. It positions Australia as a global leader in online child safety and, realistically, large tech companies were unlikely to self-regulate in a meaningful way without government intervention.
The new laws are not perfect. Not everyone will agree with them and some users will inevitably find ways around the restrictions.
There are also important nuances. In many cases, under-16s may still be able to view public content without holding an account.
But more broadly, the reforms create an opportunity to rethink how online communities operate and how digital spaces can become safer and more intentional — especially for younger Australians.
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