Snapchat Implements Age Verification in Australia Before December's Under-16 Social Media Ban

The under-16 social media ban in Australia will come into effect on December 10.

A spokesperson for Snapchat confirmed Monday that the platform has started requesting Australian teenagers to verify their ages, as the country prepares to implement comprehensive legislation prohibiting under-16s from accessing social media.

Australia will require social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to remove users under the age of 16 beginning December 10, with substantial financial penalties for non-compliance.

"Starting this week, many users will be asked to verify their age to continue accessing Snapchat," the company announced.

Users can verify their age through several methods: using an Australian bank account, providing government-issued identification, or submitting a facial photograph which will be analyzed by a third party to estimate age range.

When the ban takes effect on December 10, accounts belonging to users under 16 will be locked.

Snapchat, along with other social media platforms, has advised teenage users to download their personal data promptly, as this process may become complicated once the ban is implemented.

The messaging application expressed strong disagreement with its inclusion in the government's ban but stated, "we will comply, as we do with all local laws in countries in which we operate."

"However, disconnecting teens from their friends and family doesn't make them safer -- it may push them to less safe, less private messaging apps," the company cautioned.

Currently, 10 platforms including Discord, WhatsApp, Lego Play, and Pinterest have been excluded from this landmark legislation.

Australian authorities, however, have maintained the right to modify the list of banned platforms as deemed necessary.

There is significant global attention on whether Australia's extensive restrictions will prove effective, as regulators worldwide grapple with social media dangers.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to introduce similar legislation restricting children's social media usage.

Additionally, the Dutch government earlier this year recommended parents prohibit children under 15 from using social media applications such as TikTok and Snapchat.

Theoretically, the Australian ban represents one of the most stringent worldwide.

However, some experts have expressed concerns that the legislation may be merely symbolic due to challenges in implementing and enforcing online age verification measures.