Under-16 social media minimum age: what parents need to know

Australia’s social media minimum age (SMMA) framework commenced on 10 December 2025. It’s been called a “ban”, but the legal detail matters — especially for family conversations. Here’s the plain-English version.

What the law actually does

• Age-restricted social media platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping accounts.
• The legal obligation sits with the platforms — there are no penalties for children or parents.
• The eSafety Commissioner oversees compliance and can penalise platforms that don’t take reasonable steps.
• Some services are excluded — for example, messaging-only apps, online games, and services primarily for education or health have different treatment. eSafety publishes the current list of age-restricted platforms.

What it means in practice

• Under-16s may find existing accounts deactivated or age checks at sign-up. Methods vary by platform and are still evolving.
• Viewing some content without an account (e.g. watching a public video) is generally not restricted — the rules are about holding accounts.
• Workarounds exist (fake birthdays, VPNs). The law sets a floor, not a force field — family expectations still do the heavy lifting.

How to talk to your teen about it

1. 1

   Start with curiosity, not triumph

   “How is this landing for you and your friends?” beats “good, that rubbish is gone”. If their social life lives on a platform, losing it can feel like real loss — treat it that way.

2. 2

   Be straight about the why

   The concern behind the law — addictive design, harmful content, contact from strangers — is worth discussing openly. Teens smell spin; honesty builds the credibility you’ll need for the next conversation.

3. 3

   Plan the alternative together

   Agree how they’ll stay connected: messaging apps that aren’t age-restricted, group chats, real-world plans. A vacuum gets filled by workarounds; a plan gets followed.

4. 4

   Set your family rules for 16+

   The law doesn’t parent for you at 16 either. Agree expectations now: private accounts, no location sharing, phones out of bedrooms overnight.