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Australia\u2019s world-first ban on social media accounts for under-16s came into force on 10 December 2025, requiring major platforms to remove existing accounts held by younger users and block new registrations. But early signs show how quickly the policy is running into technical and human obstacles.<\/p>\n
Children have been able to evade checks within minutes by using parents\u2019 accounts, older siblings, VPNs, fake identities or basic disguises. Thirteen-year-old Isobel told the BBC she bypassed Snapchat\u2019s checks in under five minutes by using a photo of her mother; she said she could still access Snapchat even after being removed from TikTok.<\/p>\n
Other young users described uploading non-human images, including one case involving a golden retriever, or sharing adult IDs to satisfy verification prompts. Reddit threads have filled with tips on mesh masks, makeup and other tricks to appear older.<\/p>\n
Experts say these gaps are unsurprising. \u201cThey may try to alter their appearance to try to trick facial scanning age estimation,\u201d said Lisa Given, professor of information sciences at RMIT University. \u201cOr they may have a sibling, parent or another person over 16 do the facial scan for them to get past the age checks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given added that facial-scanning tools carry an error margin of \u201cone to three years,\u201d making it possible for a 14-year-old to be misclassified as 17.<\/p>\n
Tests cited by ABC News show how easily age-estimation systems can be fooled. Inexpensive masks and party disguises, including a $22 old man mask and a Guy Fawkes mask, were enough to mislead commonly used tools. Cyber-safety experts warn that verification prompts could also open the door to scammers who may use prove-your-age ruses to extract sensitive data.<\/p>\n
The eSafety Commissioner\u2019s guidance outlines what platforms may demand. Services can use facial analysis, account data or ID documents, but the Social Media Minimum Age legislation forbids forcing Australians to provide a government ID or to use an accredited digital ID service. Platforms must offer reasonable alternatives so people aged 16 or over are not locked out for refusing to supply government ID.<\/p>\n
Technical proposals range from IP blacklisting to deeper network inspection and cross-referencing device signals, but all carry trade-offs. Heavy approaches such as deep packet inspection or broad IP blocking risk harming adults\u2019 privacy and legitimate access and can still be bypassed with VPNs. Security specialists warn that younger users may turn to low-quality VPNs that expose them to malware or data theft.<\/p>\n
The government casts the ban as a public-health intervention aimed at reducing harms linked to bullying, misinformation and body-image pressure. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it a cultural shift and urged young people to explore offline activities over the summer.<\/p>\n