Social Media — Under 16 banned

Since December 2025, these platforms must prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts.

Facebook Social

Under-16 accounts banned. Age verification via ID or facial estimation through third-party provider k-ID.

Verification active
Instagram Social

Under-16 accounts banned. Meta uses same verification system as Facebook. Existing under-16 accounts locked.

Verification active
TikTok Social

Under-16 accounts banned. TikTok uses age estimation and document verification.

Verification active
Snapchat Social

Under-16 accounts locked (preserved for 3 years). Uses k-ID for verification — ID document or facial age estimation.

Verification active
X (Twitter) Social

Under-16 banned. Requires government ID or selfie for facial analysis. Some users reporting repeated verification prompts for sensitive content.

Verification active
YouTube Social

Under-16 account creation banned. Age-restricted videos require Google account age verification. Can still view non-restricted content without account.

Verification active
Reddit Social

Under-16 accounts banned. NSFW subreddits require 18+ age verification under the March 2026 codes.

Verification active
Twitch Social

Under-16 accounts banned. Mature content streams require age verification.

Verification active
Kick Social

Under-16 accounts banned. Must verify age to access 18+ streams.

Verification active
Threads Social

Under-16 accounts banned (linked to Instagram verification).

Verification active
Pornhub Adult

Aylo (owner) chose to block all Australian IP addresses rather than implement verification. Shows a block screen. Other Aylo sites (RedTube, YouPorn, Tube8) also blocked.

Blocked in Australia
RedTube Adult

Blocked by Aylo. Australian IP addresses cannot access the site.

Blocked in Australia
YouPorn Adult

Blocked by Aylo. Australian IP addresses cannot access the site.

Blocked in Australia
OnlyFans Adult

Must verify users are 18+ before granting access to adult content. Verification methods vary.

Verification active
xHamster Adult

Chose to comply. Implemented ID-based age gate for Australian users.

Verification active
ChatGPT AI

Must verify users are 18+ before allowing access to content related to explicit material, extreme violence, or self-harm. Some AI apps removed from Australian app stores.

Restrictions active
Google Gemini AI

Subject to same requirements as other AI services. Must prevent under-18s from accessing restricted content.

Restrictions active
Apple App Store App Store

Must restrict R18+ app downloads. Extended compliance deadline: September 2026. Apple has committed to using "reasonable methods" to prevent minors downloading 18+ apps.

Compliance deadline Sep 2026
Google Play Store App Store

Must restrict R18+ app downloads. Extended compliance deadline: September 2026.

Compliance deadline Sep 2026
Google Search Search

Already blurs pornographic and violent results for logged-out users and those under 18 (since December 2025). Logged-in age verification deadline: June 2026.

Partial — full by Jun 2026
Bing Search

Subject to same search engine codes. Must blur restricted content for unverified users.

Partial — full by Jun 2026
WhatsApp Not affected

General messaging apps are exempt. No age verification required.

Exempt
Messenger Not affected

General messaging apps are exempt from the Age-Restricted Material Codes.

Exempt
Signal / Telegram Not affected

General messaging apps are exempt. Only adult-focused messaging services specialising in explicit content must verify age.

Exempt

Can't find a platform?

This list covers the major platforms. The rules apply broadly to any service hosting restricted content and accessible in Australia. If a platform hosts pornography, R18+ content, or explicit AI-generated material, it's likely covered. General messaging apps, news sites, and platforms that prohibit adult content in their terms of service are generally not affected.

Learn how verification methods work →

Platform statuses are based on publicly available information as of March 2026 and may change as platforms update their compliance approaches.