Social Media Minimum Age Law The ones left in the middle

“I’m 16 but I look 14, so how will I get past the facial recognition? It estimates your age, and it will say I’m too young. Is there another way to confirm it, like a driver’s licence? Because social media is how I talk to all my friends, and I don’t use numbers.”

This was an email I received this week. And it hasn’t left me. I could feel the panic through the text and the need for support. I received another 6 messages from this young person in the following hour through our contact email on www.ctrlshft.global

Beneath the noise of social media age delay, there’s a quieter story. One that’s not being told loudly enough. It’s the story of the young people in between. Sixteen-year-olds who look a lot younger. Teenagers standing in the gap between policy and lived experience.

We have to step up and help young people move through this transition with just 47 days left until the Australian Social Media Minimum Age Delay kicks in. This isn’t only a tech change. For many, it’s a social life change. The place they talk, laugh, learn, and belong is shifting under their feet.

This young man wasn’t worried about losing followers. He was worried about losing his friends. Because when you look younger than sixteen, algorithms don’t see your fear of losing connection,  they just see your face. And if the system gets it wrong, you’re suddenly cut off from your entire peer world.

Are they the forgotten ones in this?

The kids who are old enough to know what they’re losing but too young to have any control over the systems deciding their access?

We can back the delay and still back them. That means creating safe alternative spaces, giving clear information, and truly listening to their concerns so no one gets left behind in the name of safety.

We also need to help them talk to their friends urgently. Help them understand how to stay connected and support anyone who suddenly loses access while they’re proving their age or waiting to get their account back. Most of all, we need to guide them through this change now, showing them where to go, how it will work, and that they won’t be alone in it.

We have just 45 days until December 10^th and then just a couple of weeks later it will be the longest school holiday of the year…we have a lot of work to do.

Below are just some of the questions we have received:

What happens to my existing account if I’m under 16? Platforms are expected to detect and remove or deactivate under-16 accounts from 10 December 2025 and stop fast re-sign-ups. You should get notice, export options, and support links.

What’s the difference between deactivation and deletion?

• Deactivation – account paused or disabled, data kept for possible reactivation.

• Deletion – account and content permanently removed (often after a short deactivation period).You must be told how to download your data first.

I’m nearly 16 – will they let me keep it until my birthday?

Probably not. The rule applies on 10 December regardless of birthdays. Some platforms may suspend rather than delete, but plan to download your data and expect a break.

Can I keep my username or handle for later?

That’s up to each platform. The law doesn’t guarantee name-holding; it only requires data-download and fair communication.

What if someone reports my account as underage to get me banned?

Platforms must have easy reporting tools but also filters to stop fake or malicious reports. You should receive confirmation and an explanation if action is taken, plus an option to appeal.

What if the platform makes a mistake?

You should be told what happened and given time to appeal or prove your age. If they don’t offer you a path to fix it, you can report it to the eSafety Commissioner. But remember eSafety doesn’t restore accounts directly but checks that platforms are being fair system-wide.

What if I use a VPN?

VPNs hide your real location, but platforms must detect and block them. They can see signals like IP changes and proxy servers. If they think you’re in Australia and under 16, they must act.

What about using a parent’s account?

Sharing a parent or carer’s account can backfire. The account legally belongs to the adult, and anything posted or sent could be seen as their action. If harmful or illegal content is uploaded, they could be held responsible. It also confuses age checks and can block your future appeals and affect their (and your) digital footprints.

Can parents just give permission for me to stay?

No. The law sets a firm minimum age of 16. Parental consent doesn’t override it.

We have a pack of resources that includes a full student session recording to be played in class hosted by Kirra Pendergast, Presentation if you would like to present yourself, Parent/educator cheat sheet immediately available for no charge.

Click here for more info