The measures are part of a country-wide ban on social media for people under 16, a user base estimated to number around 440,000

10:54, Mon, Nov 24, 2025 Updated: 10:59, Mon, Nov 24, 2025

A high school girl ignores her friends as she browses on her phone during a lunch break in a cafeteria

The social media ban for under-16s will come into force next month (Image: Getty)

Hundreds of thousands of Australian Snapchat users will receive notifications requiring proof of age this week as part of a country-wide ban on social media for youngsters. The visual messaging app will implement a ban on accounts held by users under 16 from December 10, with those suspected of being under the age range set to receive alerts via email or SMS in late November. The platform has identified potential under-age users based on account activity as well as self-reports to build a pool of around 440,000 app holders aged between 13 and 15, parent company Snap Inc. told the Senate last month.

Those who are wrongly identified can prove their age by verifying a bank account, a Government-issued ID, or through facial recognition technology. Officials have also urged under-age account holders to download their data before they are locked out of their profiles next month. Snapchat has agreed to disable access for those under-16 despite "strongly" disputing the Australian Government's inclusion of it in the wide-reaching ban, which will also limit use of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).

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Drone shot of the beautiful Sydney Harbor

Australia is set to become the first country in the world to introduce the drastic change. (Image: Getty)

Teenagers will be able to reactivate their accounts after turning 16, but profiles that are locked for over three years will be deleted.

A Snapchat spokesperson told The Guardian: "Snapchat is and has always been a visual messaging app, primarily used for connection with your closest friends and family.

"We know that for teens, maintaining friendships is a key contributor to happiness and well-being and are deeply saddened that young Aussies can no longer connect with their nearest and dearest via Snapchat.

"However, even though we strongly disagree with the Government's assessment ... We will disable accounts for users under 16 from December 10."

Australia's tough stance on social media for youngsters marks world-first action to reduce the "pressures and risks" encountered by teens online.

The Government has pointed to a commissioned study published earlier this year, which suggested that 96% of children aged between 10 and 15 used social media, with seven in 10 having been exposed to harmful content.

More than half said they had been victims of cyberbullying, while one in seven also admitted to experiencing grooming-style behaviour from adults or older children in the digital sphere.

Speaking last month, Minister for Communications Anika Wells said: "The purpose of this law is clear - this is about creating cultural change so that young Australians have three more years to build real-world connections and online resilience.

"Parents and carers are encouraged to start having conversations about these new laws with their families to help them prepare."