what apps are getting banned in australia

In Australia, starting December 10, 2025, a new law will ban people under 16 from having accounts on most major social media platforms. The platforms that will be affected include TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, and X (previously Twitter). This ban aims to protect the mental health and well-being of children and teens. Messaging apps, online gaming, and platforms focused on health and education like Kids Helpline and Google Classroom will be exempt from this ban. Specifically, YouTube, initially expected to be exempt, will now be included in the ban for under-16s, meaning children cannot create accounts to upload content or engage with other users, although they can still view videos. Companies that fail to prevent under-16s from having accounts could face fines of up to A$50 million. The government plans to enforce this by requiring platforms to take reasonable steps such as deactivating underage accounts, but they will not require age verification of all users or compulsory ID checks. The law targets age-restricted social media platforms that allow interaction and content posting among users.