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Snapchat launches age verification in Australia ahead of Dec. 10 under-16 social media ban

Snapchat has started asking teenage users in Australia to verify their ages ahead of a Dec. 10 law that will lock accounts for anyone under 16. Verification can be done with an Australian bank account, government ID, or a selfie scanned by a third party. Snapchat says it disagrees with being included in the ban but will comply, warning the move may push teens to less safe apps. Authorities have exempted 10 services so far and may update the list; experts question how enforceable the new rule will be.

10:34 AM, 11/24/2025Technology
Snapchat launches age verification in Australia ahead of Dec. 10 under-16 social media ban

Snapchat has begun asking teenage users in Australia to verify their ages as the country prepares to enforce a sweeping law that will block under-16s from major social networks from Dec. 10.

The company said the rollout will prompt "many users" to confirm their age before they can continue using the app. Verification options include linking an Australian bank account, presenting government-issued ID, or submitting a selfie for third-party analysis that returns an estimated age range.

Locked accounts and data advice

Under the new rules, accounts belonging to users under 16 will be locked from Dec. 10. Snapchat and other platforms are advising teenage users to download copies of their data now, since access or retrieval may become difficult after the lock takes effect.

Snapchat's stance

"We strongly disagree with being included in the government's ban, but we will comply, as we do with all local laws in countries in which we operate," the company said.

Snapchat warned that disconnecting teens from mainstream networks could have unintended consequences, potentially pushing them toward smaller, less secure messaging apps.

Exemptions and international context

So far, 10 services — including Discord, WhatsApp, Lego Play and Pinterest — have been exempted from the legislation, though authorities have reserved the right to update the list. The measure has drawn international attention as regulators worldwide weigh how best to protect children online. New Zealand's prime minister has signalled plans for similar restrictions, and authorities in the Netherlands have advised parents to limit social app use for younger teens.

Practical challenges

Experts caution the law may be hard to enforce: reliable online age verification is technically and legally complex, and enforcement across global platforms raises significant implementation challenges.

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