Social Media Ban

Tomorrow the social media ban for under 16s start. This can be a difficult time for young people and their families to navigate. Change is often scary and challenging. headspace has created a new social media ban hub to keep you up to date with the most recent information. You can find that here. 

Got questions? We can help you. What is the social media ban?

The Government has legislated that it will be against the law for social media companies to allow people under the age of 16 to sign up for new social media accounts or continue their social media use. 

Why are they doing this? 

The Government have said they are introducing the ban due to their concerns about the negative impact of social media on young people, in particular on their mental health and wellbeing. They would also like the ability to hold social media platforms responsible for ensuring young people's safety and believe that delaying account access to 16 will allow more time for young people to be educated about online risks and how to seek help when needed. 

Who does the ban apply to? 

The legislation will apply to people under the age of 16 years in Australia at the time the legislation comes into effect. 

Can’t I just get my parent’s consent? 

No, parents (or other guardians) won't be able to give their consent for their young people to access social media before they are 16 years of age. 

What platforms are being banned?

The Government are still finalising the full list of social media platforms that will be included in the ban. However, they have said it will include most of the major platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Kick and X.

As of today (20/11/25), Meta announced that from 4 December, they will begin removing access to Instagram, Threads, and Facebook for under 16’s and will begin blocking the creation of new accounts for under 16’s. To give people enough time to save their contacts and memories, Meta will start notifying impacted young people today (20/11/25).

Won't young people still be able to see social media feeds without an account? 

People under the age of 16 will still be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn't require being logged into an account. For example, most content on YouTube can be viewed without needing to be logged into an account. People under the age of 16 will also still be able to see some Facebook content, such as the landing pages of businesses or services that use Facebook as their host platform. 

When the ban is in place, will there be a consequence if I lie about my age? 

We understand that it may be tempting to try and find ways around the ban and keep your current social media access. We don’t, however, encourage anyone to lie about their age. Saying you are over the age of 16 can expose you to adult content that can cause harm.

The government has stated that there will not be any punishments for young people or their parents if they break the law by using social media under the age of 16. The responsibility will be on the social media platforms to make sure they follow the rules. 

Will I be able to reactivate my accounts when I turn 16? 

Social media companies have been instructed to remove accounts belonging to people under 16. Instead of removing the accounts, some platforms may choose to deactivate them, so the accounts can be reactivated with all their existing data when the user turns 16. However, users should not rely on platforms to provide this option. It’s best for people under 16 to download any data they want to save, including connections, posts, chats, photos and videos, before December 10. Social media companies have been instructed to show evidence of removing users who are under 16 years old from their accounts. This could either occur before or after 10 December.

If you need help, there are people you can chat to. For more support, check out these services.