Lyla Lindsey
Australia has implemented a variety of bans, including a social media ban for individuals under the age of 16, a ban on certain video games, and travel bans on certain individuals and entities. The social media ban, approved by Parliament, aims to protect young people from the potential dangers of social media and the internet. The Australian government has stated that social media platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent children from accessing their platforms, including age verification and deactivating accounts for users under 16. Australia also maintains a Consolidated List, which includes individuals and entities subject to targeted financial and travel sanctions. These sanctions are regularly updated and can include specific restrictions, such as directing sanctioned vessels to leave Australia or not enter particular ports. Additionally, under Australian law, media intended for retail must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB), and content deemed inappropriate may be banned from sale or public exhibition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ban | Social media ban for under-16s |
| Platforms included | Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X |
| Enforcements | Age checks, deactivation of accounts, prevention of new registrations, prevention of workarounds |
| Exemptions | Messaging, emailing, voice calling, video calling, healthcare communication |
| Fines | Up to $49.5 million for non-compliance |
| Other countries considering | Norway, France, UK |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's ban on social media for under-16s
Australia has implemented a world-first ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16, targeting platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube. The ban, set to take effect in early December 2025, aims to protect children from harmful content and the negative influences of online platforms. While some have praised the move, others have criticised it as a violation of free speech.
The Australian government has stated that affected platforms will need to take "reasonable steps" to prevent users under 16 from accessing their services. This includes deactivating existing accounts, prohibiting new account registrations, implementing age checks, and preventing workarounds to bypass the restrictions. Platforms that fail to comply with these measures can face fines of up to $49.5 million in the federal court.
The decision to include YouTube in the ban was a reversal from an earlier exemption, as YouTube had argued that it was not a social media platform and provided benefits to younger Australians. However, concerns were raised about harmful content on the site, with 37% of minors reporting such content in a survey. The inclusion of YouTube in the ban sets a precedent and has drawn the attention of global leaders, with Norway announcing a similar ban and the UK considering following suit.
While the ban targets social media platforms, certain types of online services are exempt, including messaging, emailing, voice calling, video calling, and healthcare communication platforms. These exemptions aim to balance the protection of children with the need for communication and access to essential services.
The enforcement of the ban presents challenges, and it is acknowledged that some children may find ways to circumvent it. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has compared the social media ban to alcohol restrictions, acknowledging that while it may not be perfect, it is still worth implementing. The Australian government expects platforms to employ age assurance technology, but the specific methods for age verification are not prescribed, leaving room for platforms to explore various options.
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Exemptions to the social media ban
Australia's under-16s social media ban will come into effect in December 2025. The ban will apply to platforms that meet the government's definition of an "age-restricted social media platform", which has the sole or significant purpose of enabling social interaction with two or more users, and which allows users to post material on the service. While the government has not specified by name any platforms that will be included in the ban, it has stated that covered platforms include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, and YouTube.
However, there are several exemptions to the social media ban. The government has stated that platforms with the primary purpose of messaging, emailing, voice calling, or video calling will be exempt. Additionally, platforms facilitating communication between healthcare providers and their patients will also be exempt. The eSafety commissioner will determine which platforms meet the criteria for an exemption. LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Roblox, and Coursera are likely to be exempt if assessed to meet the criteria.
Online gaming services will also be exempt from the ban, as they pose fewer social media harms to under-16s compared to social media platforms. Roblox and Fortnite are examples of online games that will not be impacted by the social media ban.
Furthermore, "education and health" services will be exempt from the ban. This includes platforms such as headspace, Kids Helpline, and Google Classroom.
While YouTube will be included in the ban, it will not be completely inaccessible. Since an account is not required to access most of the site's content, children will still be able to view videos without logging in, although they will not be able to view age-restricted content, leave comments, or upload their own videos. Meanwhile, YouTube Kids will be exempt from the ban, as accounts on the platform cannot upload content or comment on videos.
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Enforcing the social media ban
Australia has passed a law banning access to social media for under-16s. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and YouTube will be required to implement "reasonable steps" to prevent children from registering new accounts, deactivate existing accounts for users under 16, and prevent workarounds to bypass the restrictions. While the Australian government has not specified any platforms included in the ban by name, it has stated that it expects platforms to take these reasonable steps to account for how teens may try to avoid the ban, threatening fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.
The Australian government has not prescribed a specific avenue for social media companies to verify users' ages. However, it is expected that platforms will utilize methods such as facial estimation technology and matching photos with ID. Additionally, platforms could infer user ages based on account behavior or age. While some have criticized the ban as a violation of free speech, many child safety experts, parents, and teens who have waited to get on social media consider it a positive step.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has acknowledged that some children will find ways to get around the ban, similar to how some individuals in the UK have used VPNs to bypass age verification for accessing pornography websites. Despite this, Albanese maintains that banning children from social media is still worth doing, comparing it to alcohol restrictions. The ban is expected to come into effect in early December, and platforms that will be exempt include those with the primary purpose of messaging, emailing, voice calling, or video calling, as well as those facilitating communication between healthcare providers and their patients.
While Australia is the first country to implement such a ban, other nations are watching closely and considering similar measures. Norway, for example, has announced plans to ban children under 15 from using social media, and France is testing a smartphone ban for kids under 15 in select schools. In the United States, lawmakers have held hearings on child online safety, and the Kids Online Safety Act was passed by the Senate but has since stalled in the House.
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Australia's ban on video games
Australia has a history of banning video games that are deemed inappropriate for its citizens. All media intended for retail display, including video games, must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). If a game is considered too inappropriate by the ACB, it may be "Refused Classification" (RC), banning it from being sold in the country and placing it on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items. Any copies found at the border will be seized, and the recipient may be fined up to A$110,000.
Before 2013, the ACB had no R18+ rating for video games, which meant that many games were refused classification and banned. Games with content deemed unsuitable for minors, such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, were banned from sale in Australia. Some games were allowed to be sold after removing controversial content, such as the "Hot Coffee" scene in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
In 2011, an R18+ rating for video games was approved, and it came into effect in 2013. This rating allowed games that previously fell outside the MA15+ rating but did not contain content unsuitable for the R18+ classification to be sold in the country. Games that contain material such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use may still be refused classification.
Even with the introduction of the R18+ rating, some games are still banned or required to edit their content to achieve classification. For example, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut and Katana Zero were initially banned but later appealed and allowed to be sold in Australia. Wasteland 3 was banned due to substance use that increased the character's abilities, but a censored version was later released with the drug-related content removed, receiving an 18+ classification.
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Australia's travel ban
Australia maintains travel advisories for more than 170 destinations to help Australians avoid difficulties overseas. The Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) maintains and regularly updates the Consolidated List, which includes individuals and entities subject to Australian sanctions, including targeted financial sanctions and travel bans. The list includes names, aliases, dates of birth, places of birth, citizenships, and addresses of those sanctioned. However, it is unclear if any nations are included on the Consolidated List.
In addition to travel advisories and sanctions, Australia has also implemented a social media ban for individuals under the age of 16. This ban aims to protect young people from the potential dangers of social media and the internet. The Australian government has stated that social media platforms are expected to take reasonable steps to deactivate accounts for users under 16, prevent children from registering new accounts, and check ages to ensure compliance with the ban. Platforms that do not comply can face fines of up to $49.5 million.
While some have praised Australia's social media ban as a positive step towards protecting children, others have criticised it as a violation of free speech. Some argue that parents should be the ones making decisions about their children's access to digital services, rather than the government. Despite these concerns, Australia has moved forward with the ban, and other countries are considering similar measures to protect young people from the potential harms of social media.
In summary, while it is unclear if Australia has specifically put a nation or people on a ban list, the country maintains travel advisories, sanctions, and other measures to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, both at home and abroad.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has not put a ban on a nation or people. However, it has implemented a social media ban for individuals under the age of 16. This means that Australians under 16 will not be able to access social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat.
The Australian government has implemented this ban to protect young people from the potential dangers of social media and the internet. The ban aims to reduce the negative impact of social media on the minds of teenagers and to give them more opportunities for real human connection.
The Australian government expects social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 from accessing their services. This includes age verification measures such as ID checks, facial estimation technology, and matching photos with IDs. Platforms that do not comply can face fines of up to $49.5 million.
