From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australian under 16s from having accounts. This follows amendments to the Online Safety Act 2021 in late-2024 to introduce a social media minimum age framework (SMMA).
The requirement applies to any existing account holders under the minimum age, as well as new accounts being established.
‘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.
The definition casts a wide net, to ensure the minimum age obligation applies broadly to the range of services we know and understand to be social media. At the same time, there is flexibility to reduce the scope or further target the definition through legislative rules.
On 29 July 2025, the Minister for Communications made the Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025 (the Rules), which specify the types of online services not covered by the SMMA. They are:
- Messaging, email, voice calling or video calling services
- Online games
- Services that primarily function to enable information about products or services
- Professional networking and professional development services
- Education and health services
The Rules strike a balance between protecting young people from the harms associated with social media use, and allowing ongoing access to services that are essential for communication, education and health. The rules have been informed by consultation with community and industry stakeholders, parents and young people, alongside evidence-based advice from the eSafety Commissioner. The Minister requested advice from the eSafety Commissioner on 12 June 2025. The eSafety Commissioner responded on 19 June 2025 through a letter and detailed advice.
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 published by the Australian Government later this year.
For more information on the Age Assurance Technology Trial, visit www.ageassurance.com.au