Snapchat Begins Age Checks in Australia Ahead of Social Media Ban

Snapchat has begun enforcing age verification for teenage users in Australia ahead of new legislation that bans under-16s from social media starting December 10. The platform now requires users to verify their age using an Australian bank account, government-issued identification, or facial recognition technology managed by a third party. Accounts belonging to users under 16 will be locked once the law takes effect.

The company confirmed that many users will be asked to verify their age to continue accessing Snapchat. It has also advised teenagers to download their data before the ban begins, warning that it may be difficult to retrieve once accounts are restricted.

Snapchat expressed disagreement with the legislation, warning that cutting off teens from mainstream platforms could push them toward less safe alternatives. Despite this, it confirmed compliance with local laws.

Other platforms such as Discord, WhatsApp, Lego Play, and Pinterest have not been included in the ban, though authorities reserve the right to expand the list. The move has sparked global interest, with New Zealand and the Netherlands considering similar restrictions, though experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of online age verification.

On paper, Australia’s ban is one of the strictest in the world, but some analysts believe it may prove symbolic given the challenges of enforcing and policing digital age checks.