Alarming New Laws: Age Verification for All Australian Social Media Users

By Sammi
A frustrated female parent trying to log in
A frustrated female parent trying to log in Photo Meta Ai


In an effort to protect young Australians, the government has introduced new laws that will require social media platforms to implement age verification for all users. Starting December 10, 2025, platforms will need to take "reasonable steps" to prevent under-16s from creating or keeping accounts. However, this means that all Australian social media users, regardless of age, will likely be impacted.
What Does This Mean for You?
To enforce the age restriction, platforms may use various methods, including 

Concerns and Implications
While the intention is to protect young Australians, the new laws raise concerns about:

Government's Stance
The government emphasizes that no Australian will be forced to use government identification as the sole means of verification. However, the exact methods and mechanisms for age verification are still being developed ³.
What's Next?
As the laws take effect on December 10, 2025, social media platforms will need to implement age verification measures. The Australian government will continue to provide guidance on what constitutes "reasonable steps" to ensure compliance ⁴.
Stay informed and join the conversation about the impact of these new laws on Australian social media users.
The new social media age restrictions in Australia will likely affect older users and those with existing social media accounts in some way. Here's what you need to know ¹ ² ³:
  • Age Verification for All Users: To ensure under-16s are kept off platforms, social media companies will likely need to verify the age of all users, including adults. This might involve various methods such as facial age estimation, matching photos with photo ID, or using bank or mobile provider information.
  • No Government ID Requirement: The Australian government has clarified that no one will be forced to use government identification as the sole means of verification. Platforms must offer alternative age assurance methods.
  • Existing Accounts: The requirements will apply to existing account holders under the minimum age, as well as new accounts being established.
  • Penalties for Non-Compliance: Social media platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from having accounts may face penalties of up to $49.5 million. However, there won't be any penalties for individuals or parents who provide access to age-restricted platforms for children under 16.
  • Guidelines and Implementation: The eSafety Commissioner will formulate guidelines for reasonable steps that social media platforms must take to prevent age-restricted users from having accounts. The guidelines will be informed by the Age Assurance Technology Trial, which is currently underway.
Some of the affected platforms include ³ ¹:
The exact implementation details are still being worked out, but it's clear that social media platforms will need to take steps to ensure compliance with the new age restrictions
Location: Australia

Comments

Post a Comment

Comment

Most Viewed

Centrelink Payments Pittance Increase for pensioners, JobSeekers in a cost of living crisis

By Sammi
Image
Pensioner struggling to buy food in Supermarket Photo by Gemini AI Centrelink Payments Are Increasing in 2025: What You Need to Know In a move to provide financial relief amid rising living costs, the Australian Government is increasing Centrelink payments through its regular indexation process . This will provide a welcome boost to millions of Australians, including pensioners , students , and job seekers . Payment Overview A number of key Centrelink payments are set to increase in 2025. These increases are part of the government's commitment to ensuring social security payments keep pace with the cost of living. The increases are being implemented in two stages: on March 20, 2025, and again on July 1, 2025. The payment increases are not a one-off "cash boost" but rather an ongoing adjustment to fortnightly payment rates. This aims to provide sustained support for those who rely on these payments to cover essential expenses. Who is Eligible? The payment increases will ...
Read more

Big changes are coming to Disability Employment Services

By Sammi
Image
Participants in Disability Employment Services Photo Google Gemini Big changes are happening in the world of disability employment in Australia. On November 1, 2025 , the Disability Employment Services (DES) program will be replaced by a new program called Inclusive Employment Australia . This new program is designed to better help people with a disability, illness, or health condition find and keep a job. The goal is to create a more inclusive and supportive system that meets the unique needs of job seekers and employers. What does this mean for you? If you are currently on the DES program, you don't need to do anything. You will be automatically moved to Inclusive Employment Australia on November 1, 2025. Your current work arrangements and payments will not be affected by this change. This is a significant step toward making employment more accessible for all Australians. Inclusive Employment Australia aims to provide a smoother, more effective pathway to employment, ensuring t...
Read more

Australia's Rental Crisis: The Impact of Large Migration and Lack of New Properties

By Sammi
Image
Photo Meta Australia is facing a severe rental crisis, with many Australians struggling to find affordable housing . The situation has become so dire that some individuals are forced to live in cars due to the lack of available properties and skyrocketing rents . The Numbers Don't Lie Australia's population grew by 552,000 people in FY24, largely driven by immigration , doubling the long-run average. The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council predicts a shortfall of approximately 400,000 homes by 2029, with only 825,000 new dwellings expected to be built between 2024 and 2029, far short of the 1.2 million target. In 2024, only 135,640 new dwellings were completed in capital cities , a mere 2.4% increase from 2023 ¹ ². The Human Cost Many Australians are facing rental stress , with two in five low-income renters at risk of homelessness in 2023-24, despite receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance . Some individuals, like Jade, have been living in vehicles for years...
Read more

Centrelink Warning for Downsizing Baby Boomers: Don't Lose Your Pension

By Sammi
Image
Baby Boomers in Centrelink office Photo Gemini 2.5 The idea of downsizing is an attractive one for many Baby Boomers approaching retirement. Selling the family home, moving into something smaller and more manageable, and freeing up some extra cash can be a fantastic way to boost your retirement lifestyle. But if you're a pensioner or are planning to apply for the Age Pension , there's a crucial Centrelink rule you need to understand to avoid a nasty financial surprise. The good news is, you don't have to race into a new home. Centrelink has a "special" retirement rule that gives you a generous grace period before the proceeds from your home sale affect your pension. The key is to know what you're doing with the money. The Two-Year Grace Period: What You Need to Know In recent years, Centrelink has updated its rules to be more accommodating for downsizers. If you sell your principal home with the intention of buying, building, or renovating a new one, you ca...
Read more

The Climate Clash: Queensland's LNP Leads Rebellion Against Federal Net Zero Policy

By Sammi
Image
Wind Towers and Transmission line through Australian farmland inc Kangaroo The recent motion passed by the Queensland LNP convention to abandon the net zero commitment represents a significant departure from the current official position of the federal Coalition . 1 Here's a breakdown of the key differences: Federal Coalition's Official Stance: Commitment to Net Zero: The federal Coalition, while in government and in opposition, has maintained a commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This is a public position affirmed by the party's leadership, including Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud . Emphasis on Technology: Their approach to achieving this goal often emphasizes a " technology-agnostic" strategy , which includes a strong focus on nuclear power as a key part of the energy mix. 2 They argue that this approach offers a reliable, low-emissions alternative to a " renewables-only" transition , which t...
Read more