A guide published by Dotto
Not yet: Australia’s social media minimum age
Since 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms have had to take reasonable steps to stop Australians under 16 from creating or keeping an account.
The eSafety Commissioner puts it in one line: “It’s not a ban, it’s a delay to having accounts.” This guide sets out what the law asks, of whom, and where young people and families can find help, from eSafety’s and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s own pages.
- 18Under 18: who eSafety’s cyberbullying scheme is for.
- 17
- 1616: the minimum age for an account on an age-restricted social media platform.
- 15
- 14
- 13
- 12
The short version
- Who has to act
- The platforms. They must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from having accounts, and a court can order civil penalties against those that don’t.
- Who is not penalised
- There are no penalties for under-16s who access an age-restricted platform, or for their parents or carers.
- Which platforms
- In eSafety’s view, Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X and YouTube are age-restricted, and eSafety says the list may change.
- What stays open
- Under-16s can still see public content that doesn’t need a login, and most standalone gaming and messaging apps are not affected.
- Proving age
- No platform can make anyone use a government ID to prove their age. Platforms may offer it, but must also offer a reasonable alternative.
The guide, mark by mark
Six pages, each dated by the source it leans on most.
- Mark 1 · Took effect 10 December 2025
The minimum age law
What the law asks of platforms, and what it does not ask of families.
- Mark 2 · eSafety’s lists, 21 November 2025
Which platforms it covers
eSafety’s lists, the test a service has to meet, and why a service can move.
- Mark 3 · OAIC privacy guidance, 10 October 2025
How age checks work
Inference, estimation and verification, and what the law says happens to the data.
- Mark 4 · eSafety’s preparation advice, 17 December 2025
For parents and carers
Saying “not yet”, the four steps eSafety suggests, and help when things get hard.
- Mark 5 · eSafety’s reporting page, updated 10 March 2026
Cyberbullying and children
eSafety’s scheme for under-18s: what counts, who can report, and what happens next.
- Mark 6 · OAIC tips for young people, 1 December 2025
Privacy settings and your data
The OAIC on settings, digital footprints, and what to do when something is posted.
If something goes wrong online
eSafety’s advice is that a child who has a harmful experience online should reach out for support, even if they are under 16 and it happened on an age-restricted platform. They won’t get into trouble for being on the platform.
- eSafety’s I need help page for young people explains what to do about online problems such as cyberbullying and threats to share nudes.
- Kids Helpline offers free, confidential support and counselling for people aged five to 25, 24/7, on 1800 55 1800.
- In a life-threatening or time-critical emergency, call Triple Zero (000).