Under Australia's under-16 social media ban, platforms can no longer just take a birthday at sign-up. They have to take reasonable steps to find under-16s, which can include a face-scan age estimate, an ID check, or watching for signs in how an account is used. They're not allowed to force anyone to hand over government ID. And anyone offering to "get around" the check for your child is very likely a scam.
No. eSafety says a platform doesn't have to check every account holder if it already has reliable signs they're 16 or older. eSafety's example is someone who has had a Facebook account since 2006.
It's up to each platform, within eSafety's rules and privacy law. Common methods include an age estimate from a selfie or short video, an ID check, or a third-party age-check service. eSafety says platforms should explain their steps clearly in their Help or Support pages, including whether a third party is involved. That's the place to check if a request looks odd.
Nobody can be forced to use government ID. The law specifically stops platforms requiring government ID or an Australian Government digital ID. A platform can offer it, but it must also offer a reasonable alternative.
Platforms are also expected to look for signs that an account belongs to someone under 16, and to re-check even after an account has passed. eSafety lists signs such as:
eSafety expects platforms to try to stop under-16s using a VPN to look as if they're outside Australia. Platforms can check location signs such as IP address, GPS, the device's language and time settings, an Australian phone number, and app store or account settings. A VPN alone isn't meant to be enough.
This is the part to talk about at home. eSafety warns that anyone offering an under-16 a fake ID or an "age-verified" account is probably a scammer. Some are after money. Others are after nudes, which can be grooming or a set-up for sextortion. eSafety's advice:
Adults get age-check scams too: messages pretending to be a platform and asking you to "verify" your age through a link. If a request didn't come through the app itself, go to the platform's Help page and check there.
Our guide on sextortion explains what to do if a child has already sent something. The key message for them: it's not their fault, and they won't be in trouble for telling you.
It happens. eSafety expects platforms to have a clear way to ask for a review if someone 16 or over is flagged or removed by mistake, or because of a false report.
For the bigger picture, read Australia's social media ban, explained for parents.
The ban is the start of the conversation, not the end of it. Aunty Bea helps Australian families with what comes next, quietly. You'll never scroll your child's messages in Aunty Bea. You get a plain-English summary of what looked risky, and how to talk about it.
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