Australia has approved the Online Safety Amendment Bill which sets a minimum age of 16 for accounts on large platforms. UNICEF Australia explained that the rule will take effect from 10 December 2025 and covers TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Facebook, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick. The group said the tech companies behind these platforms could face fines of up to $50 million if they do not stop under 16s from running accounts.
The Australian Government said the purpose is to protect young people from problems linked to online spaces. They pointed to cyberbullying, harmful content and the risk of online predators. They believe younger teens face pressure in these spaces and that removing access is one way to ease that load.
UNICEF Australia said young people will not receive penalties if they have accounts. The responsibility sits with tech companies. UNICEF Australia also said the rule does not fix the deeper issues and that safer digital spaces would help young people more than blocking access. They said young people’s views must shape online safety work to make sure changes help the people they are meant to help.
How Will The Rule Work In Practice?
UNICEF Australia said platforms will use age checks through photos or videos. They may also let users show ID but must give at least one other method. Apps built for younger users, like Messenger Kids and YouTube Kids, will not fall under the rule.
The law stops parents from giving consent for younger teens to use the restricted platforms. That means families cannot bypass the rule even if they feel their child is ready. Tech companies will have to build systems that block younger accounts or take them down once found.
The Government believes these checks will create a safer online space. UNICEF Australia said it would rather see better safety systems inside the platforms themselves. They pointed to the value young people get from learning tools and online friendships and said cutting them off does not fix unsafe design.
How Does This Connect To Concerns In The UK?
New data from GWI shows rising worry in the UK about children online. GWI found that 68% of UK consumers fear cyberbullying and 66% fear harmful content. For UK parents this goes up to 71% for cyberbullying and 67% for harmful content.
GWI said business leaders express less worry. Only 55% worry about cyberbullying and 52% worry about harmful content. This difference has led to questions about how companies view young people’s safety online.
The Australian rule has brought these conversations back into view. GWI’s figures point to strong public anxiety and a sense that online spaces feel unsafe for younger teens. UNICEF Australia said safer design is the long term fix and that young people deserve to be heard as these laws take shape.
How Will The Ban Impact UK Businesses?
Experts have shared their thoughts on how the ban will impact businesses the UK, here’s what they said:
Our Experts:
- Keith Kakadia, Founder and CEO, Sociallyin
- Mario Serralta, Founding Lawyer, Mario Serralta & Associates
- Chelsea Hopkins, PR & Social Lead, Fasthosts
- Jason Tassie, Business Growth Strategist & Founder, Know Your Business
Keith Kakadia, Founder and CEO, Sociallyin
“If Australia bans social media, UK businesses will feel the shock quickly. Australia is a key part of global traffic patterns, so losing that market would affect ad delivery, trend cycles, and how content spreads across platforms. It would also limit the data UK teams use to guide targeting and campaign decisions.
“The bigger message is that platforms can change without warning. Any business that relies too heavily on social media for reach or sales would face real risk. This is a reminder for UK brands to diversify their channels, build stronger direct communication with customers, and prepare for sudden shifts in how audiences connect online.”
Mario Serralta, Founding Lawyer, Mario Serralta & Associates
“The reality is that UK businesses that are running international campaigns would lose instant access to valuable Australian market data and targeting options. Without that understanding, advertising is less efficient and companies may have to spend more to achieve the same results.
“Building an email list, reinforcing website-based communication tools and adding direct customer channels are strategic initiatives that minimize reliance on third-party platforms. It’s a kind of risk management: When one has multiple paths for communicating, a temporary ban is an inconvenience instead of a barrier.”
Chelsea Hopkins, PR & Social Lead, Fasthosts
“Primarily, Australia’s social media ban will affect businesses that advertise to younger people. And particularly those that advertise heavily on platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram, whose users are known to be from a younger audience. Under 16s make up a large portion of the target demographic of many UK brands in sectors ranging from retail, gaming, fashion, education, and FMCG.
“This means that brands may have to rethink their entire marketing and advertising strategies, and how they will reach younger demographics. This could eventually push brands to generate more creator-led campaigns, use offline channels, and create more family or parent-focused advertising. Brands selling to younger consumers may also see a decrease in traffic from social media, fewer impulse purchases, and may have to shift back to parent-mediated purchasing, which was more popular in the pre-social media era.
“If any UK or global businesses operate in Australia, or have Australian users, they will also have to comply with the new regulations. Australia has placed the responsibility on each platform to verify users ages and determine whether they fall under the criteria for age restrictions. This could affect any UK business with a presence in Australia, particularly gaming companies or platforms with community or social interaction features built into their product.
“With the UK introducing the Online Safety Act in July of this year, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to expect similar measures to be implemented in the UK in the future. Usually when a Western country introduces stricter laws or regulations around tech, safety, or data protection, the UK often follows suit. And with Australia excluding multiple platforms (such as Discord, Roblox, Steam, WhatsApp, etc), from its restrictions, we may see UK businesses and developers pivot towards creating more age-verification-ready, child-safe, or educational digital platforms in anticipation of potential future regulation changes.”
Jason Tassie, Business Growth Strategist & Founder, Know Your Business
“The big concern here is that if Australia’s social media ban went global, it would be a huge shock to UK businesses. Many UK businesses rely on Instagram and TikTok for easy sales and exposure.
“I think that the bigger issue is that too many companies have become dependent on platforms that they don’t control. Perhaps a ban would force UK businesses back to the basics of marketing – back to building email lists, optimising for Google, and working on their direct relationships with customers. Short term it would be very painful, but long term it could help make businesses stronger and less exposed to sudden rule changes from big tech.”
