From 10 December 2025, age-restricted platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating an account. The aim is to delay the age threshold to which young Australians register and sign up with social media accounts.
All social media content available on public accounts will remain viewable, however users under the age of 16 will required additional steps to create accounts or engage with platforms as a registered user.
A suite of information on the social media age restrictions is available here.
RESTRICTED PLATFORMS
Restricted platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit. Inclusions of the age restriction list will be adjusted and moderated as the ban continues.
A list of age restricted platforms can be found here.
EXCLUSIONS
Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are among the types of services that have been excluded under legislative rules. Group message chats for coordinating sport remain permitted with moderation by one or more adult representative or senior official.
Email and electronic digital messaging services are still available and permitted. If you or a child are impacted by the incoming restrictions but wish to remain engaged and informed on Australian basketball, you can stay connected via Basketball Australia's eNews.
IMPACT
Primary points include functional, social & wellbeing impact
FUNCTIONAL
Restricted platforms will no longer be a viable option for communicating with under-16 users and it may impact functional and information use of platforms for sporting organisations.
SOCIAL & WELLBEING
It's anticipated that there will be a range of emotional, social and psychological impact for under-16 audiences within the restricted age range. Young athletes may also use social media to manage stress and performance pressure.
Information and resources to assist and inform all under-16’s affected by the restrictions can be found here.
CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Further information on Basketball Australia's approach and Child Safeguarding Policy is available here.
Section 13.2.26 relating to Use of Electronic Devices is outlined below
13.2.6 Use of electronic or online communications
(a) For any electronic or online communication with Children in our sport we adopt a two- deep model, that is, copy in the organisation and a parent or guardian in all communication.
(b) When communicating with Children, Basketball Australia, Member Organisations or Authorised Providers and Participants must ensure content is:
(i) directly associated with delivering our services, such as advising that a scheduled event is cancelled;
(ii) concise with personal or social content limited only to convey the message in a polite and friendly manner;
(iii) devoid of any sexualised language; and (iv) not promoting unauthorised social activity or contact.
More information - eSafety Commissioner
Social media 'ban' or delay frequently asked questions: Find out the facts about the social media age restrictions that will help keep Australians under 16 safer.
Which platforms are age-restricted? Find lists of the services that, in eSafety's view, will and will not be age-restricted.
How to assess if a service is an age-restricted social media platform: Online service providers can use the assessment guidance to see whether their services are age-restricted social media platforms.
Social Media Minimum Age regulatory guidance: eSafety has published regulatory guidance to help platforms decide which methods are likely to be effective and comply with the Online Safety Act.
Statement of Commitment to Children's Rights: Read our approach to implementing the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Other related content:
eSafety stands ready: Read eSafety’s statement, issued when the Online Safety Amendment received Royal Assent.
Australian Government fact sheet: Read information on the new legislationExternal link to enforce a minimum age for access to social media, and the age assurance technology trial.
Youth perspective: Read eSafety’s research into young people’s attitudes towards online pornography and age assurance.
A fairer fight: protecting childhood and adolescence in a digital world: Read the eSafety Commissioner's speech about how age assurance technologies form an important part of a holistic approach to protecting children online.
