5-12-2025 (SYDNEY) TikTok announced Friday it will fully implement Australia’s pioneering ban on social media access for users under 16, effective next week, despite acknowledging the move could distress young account holders. The policy, signed into law by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in November, bars minors from creating or maintaining profiles on apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, with violators facing fines up to A$49.5 million.
Starting December 10, under-16 accounts will deactivate automatically, rendering prior posts inaccessible, while new sign-ups will require age verification. Affected teens can challenge blocks by submitting proof such as facial scans, credit card details, or official ID, or opt to download data and delete profiles.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland described the measure as a safeguard against algorithms that exacerbate mental health issues, citing cases where targeted content has contributed to teen suicides. This world-first regulation follows years of debate over online harms, building on parental controls and age gates that proved insufficient. TikTok’s compliance underscores industry pressure but highlights enforcement hurdles, including privacy concerns over verification methods.
A legal challenge filed last week by the Digital Freedom Project in Australia’s High Court questions the ban’s constitutionality as a free speech infringement; outcomes from early enforcement efforts will shape global precedents.
