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Australia to Ban Under-16s from Social Media by 2025

9/27/2025

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Australia will block under-16s from social media accounts from 2025, affecting Twitch, Steam, Roblox.
The government seeks clarity on whether these platforms count as social media, shaping access.
Platforms may require age verification, potentially including ID or facial recognition.
The United Kingdom (UK) has similar laws raising data privacy concerns for minors.

History

Historical Context

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), enacted in 2010, set a precedent for online data protection for minors in the U.S. Following this, Australia introduced a law in 2025 banning social media access for under-16s, mirroring similar regulations in the UK. These measures reflect a global trend towards enhancing online safety and privacy for children amid rising concerns over digital data security.

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Story summary

Australia will block under-16s from social media accounts from 2025, affecting Twitch, Steam, Roblox.
The government seeks clarity on whether these platforms count as social media, shaping access.
Platforms may require age verification, potentially including ID or facial recognition.
The United Kingdom (UK) has similar laws raising data privacy concerns for minors.

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