Australia Implements World-First Social Media Ban: TikTok Announces Compliance Measures for Under-16 Users

TikTok announced on Friday its plans to adhere to Australia's groundbreaking legislation banning under-16s from social media platforms, while acknowledging that these changes "may be upsetting" for affected users.

Australia's pioneering law, set to take effect on December 10, will restrict access to popular social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for users under 16 years of age. Companies failing to implement "reasonable steps" for compliance could face substantial penalties of Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million).

In response to the legislation, TikTok confirmed it will implement measures to block Australian users under 16 on the implementation date, preventing them from creating new accounts or maintaining existing ones.

"Teens with an existing account will be notified that they will no longer be able to use their existing account, which will become inactive," TikTok stated. "If they previously published content, it will no longer be available for others to view on TikTok."

The platform outlined an appeals process for blocked users to verify their age through various methods, including facial image verification, credit card authorization, or official identification documents.

"We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law," the company explained in its statement.

Affected teenage users will have several options: confirming their age, downloading their data, deleting their account, or requesting a reminder to recover their account upon turning 16. TikTok has encouraged parents to engage in conversations with their teens about honest age reporting.

Communications Minister Anika Wells, speaking a week before the ban's implementation, cited tragic cases of Australian teenagers who died by suicide after algorithms targeted them with content that undermined their self-esteem.

"This specific law will not fix every harm occurring on the internet, but it will make it easier for kids to chase a better version of themselves," Wells told reporters.

The impending ban faces opposition from digital rights advocates. The Digital Freedom Project has initiated a legal challenge in Australia's High Court, describing the legislation as an "unfair" restriction on freedom of speech.

Australia's regulatory approach has attracted global attention as countries worldwide grapple with social media's potential risks. Malaysia has indicated plans to implement similar restrictions for children under 16 next year, while New Zealand is also preparing to introduce comparable measures.