The Australian Government has taken world-leading action to reduce online harms experienced by young Australians by introducing a minimum age of 16 to access social media. The Online Safety Act 2021 (the Act) was amended in November 2024 to introduce a social media minimum age framework. This fact sheet sets out the background, legal framework, how it works, age verification and penalties.

Australians under 16 can’t have accounts on age-restricted platforms because they enable algorithms that recommend harmful or inappropriate content, infinite scrolling and other features designed to keep users continuously engaged. Delaying access to social media helps protect the health and wellbeing of young people and gives them extra time to develop real world connections and digital literacy skills before they join global platforms.

Key facts

• Social media platforms now need to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from having a social media account.
• There are three types of age assurance technology that age-restricted social media platforms can use to identify if a person is under 16.
• The responsibility is on the social media platforms, not parents, carers or children, to follow this law.