Snapchat to Implement Age Verification in Australia Ahead of Under-16 Social Media Ban
Snapchat will begin verifying the ages of its Australian users in planning for a new national law restricting social media access for those under 16. The changes will take effect next month, coinciding with the law’s implementation.
The platform will offer users three methods to confirm their age: linking an Australian bank account,submitting government-issued identification,or allowing a third party to analyze a photograph of their face.
the Australian law, set to begin on December 10th, will require platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to remove access for users under the age of 16, facing potential fines of up to approximately €28 million for non-compliance. Meta has announced it will begin excluding under-16s from Facebook and Instagram starting December 4th.
Currently, ten platforms are exempt from the regulation, including Discord, WhatsApp, Lego Play, and Pinterest, though Australian authorities retain the right to modify this list.
Snapchat stated it will adhere to the new legislation, adding, “However, disconnecting teens from their friends and family doesn’t make them safer, it could push them toward less secure and less private messaging apps.”
The Australian measure, considered one of the most stringent globally, is attracting attention from other nations considering similar regulations. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced plans to introduce a comparable bill in his country. The Dutch government also issued guidance this year recommending parents prevent children under 15 from using platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, though experts suggest enforcement will be challenging due to difficulties in age verification.
