Australias Under-16 Social Media Ban Takes Effect Dec 10

Australia's groundbreaking social media ban for users under 16 takes effect on December 10, requiring major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube to block underage accounts or face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. The legislation, enforced by the eSafety commissioner, marks the world's first nationwide restriction aimed at protecting children from online harms such as abuse and toxic content.

In preparation, Snapchat announced on Monday that it would begin prompting Australian users this week to verify their age if the platform suspects they are under 16. Users can confirm eligibility through several methods: linking an Australian bank account via ConnectID, submitting a government-issued ID like a passport or driver's license for scanning by a third-party service, or taking a selfie for facial age estimation technology. The company emphasized that it receives only a yes-or-no response on age compliance, without accessing personal data. Accounts identified as underage will be locked starting December 10, remaining inaccessible for three years until the user turns 16 and verifies eligibility. Snapchat advised affected teens to...