But exactly what the term “social media” includes has been a bit of a sticking point, with uncertainty surrounding which websites and apps will be covered by the ban – and the $50 million fines for allowing under-16s onto their sites – and which will be exempt.
The government has now moved to clarify what platforms will be covered by the new legislation. This is what we know.
What social media platforms will the under-16 ban apply to?
The new laws don’t explicitly state which platforms are covered by the age limit, instead setting out a definition for “age-restricted social media platform”.
However, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has confirmed the laws will “at a minimum” apply to TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram and X.
Those six aren’t the only ones – Rowland said others will have to refuse accounts for people aged under 16 – but they are the only ones who’ve been explicitly named by the government.
What social media platforms will be exempt from the under-16 ban?
The new laws allow the government to make some types of platforms exempt from the age limit.
Again, we don’t yet have an exhaustive list of which websites and apps will avoid the crackdown, but the government has flagged that Facebook Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, ReachOut’s PeerChat, Kids Helpline MyCircle, Google Classroom and YouTube will be exempt.
The same will go for “other apps that can be shown to function like social media in their interactivity but operate with a significant purpose to enable young people to get the education and health support they need,” Rowland said.
Video games and some messaging services will also be exempt.
Providing exemptions won’t be purely at the discretion of the government.
The laws require that the communications minister “seek advice from the eSafety Commissioner, and must have regard to that advice; and may seek advice from any other authorities or agencies of the Commonwealth that the minister considers relevant, and may have regard to any such advice,” Rowland said.
Keep in mind that the age limit is yet to pass parliament, so the details may yet change before they become law.
