The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 requires that, from December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 years old from having accounts.
This also applies to existing account holders under the minimum age.
Age-restricted social media platforms include services that meet the following conditions:
- the sole purpose, or significant purpose is to enable social interaction between 2 or more end-users;
- the service allows end-users to link to, or interact with, some or all of the other end-users; and
- the service allows end-users to post material on the service.
Platforms must demonstrate they’ve taken reasonable steps to prevent age-restricted users from having an account. The onus is on platforms, meaning there are no penalties for children and young people under 16 if they have access to an age-restricted platform, or for their parents or carers.
Further information is available in the social media minimum age fact sheet.
Consumer research
In August 2024 the department commissioned research into Australians’ attitudes towards the use of technologies that establish user age for access to online services.
The Consumer Research Report was prepared by the Social Research Centre, and found:
- Australians broadly understand the need for age assurance as a means of preventing young people from accessing inappropriate content and services online.
- Around nine in 10 adults express support for age assurance
- 73% of children who would use a website that checked for age understand why websites checked for age
- Willingness to use age assurance technologies varies based on demographic factors and the type of online service being accessed – with higher acceptance for adult-oriented services compared to general services.
- 80% of adults said the presence of age assurance would either not affect, or would positively influence, their likelihood to use a website.
- The research also highlights that Australians have little trust in digital platforms to securely handle personal data, which is more significant for those with previous experiences of a data breach.
For more information, read the Consumer Research Report.
Age Assurance Technology Trial
The Age Assurance Technology Trial is a key element of the Australian Government’s $6.5 million Age Assurance Trial.
The trial is reviewing age verification, estimation and inference technologies. These technologies are possible options to prevent access to online pornography by children and young people under the age of 18, and age-limit access to social media platforms for those under 16 years of age.
The trial is being conducted by the Age Check Certification Scheme and is independent of government.
The outcomes of the trial will inform how the social media minimum age is implemented.
The final report of the Age Assurance Technology Trial is expected to be delivered to the Australian Government later this year.
For more information on the Age Assurance Technology Trial, visit www.ageassurance.com.au