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Australia's Social Media Ban Sparks Teen Workarounds

2/17/2026

44 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Australia's social media age ban takes effect on December 10, 2025, prohibiting children under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat.
In Kiama, teenagers are reportedly circumventing the restrictions.
Snapchat said it faces challenges with reliable age verification and is locking more accounts daily.
New apps Yope and Lemon8 are gaining popularity, with Lemon8 described as an Instagram clone.

History

Historical Context

In 2021, Australia enacted the Online Safety Act, aiming to enhance protections for minors online. By 2024, the government proposed legislation to enforce a minimum age for social media access, reflecting growing concerns over youth safety amid rising digital engagement. With over 2.8 million Australian users under 16, the 2025 age ban highlights ongoing challenges in regulating children's online experiences.

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Story summary

Australia's social media age ban takes effect on December 10, 2025, prohibiting children under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat.
In Kiama, teenagers are reportedly circumventing the restrictions.
Snapchat said it faces challenges with reliable age verification and is locking more accounts daily.
New apps Yope and Lemon8 are gaining popularity, with Lemon8 described as an Instagram clone.

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