Under 16 and still on social media? What parents can do

If your child is under 16 and still has an account on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat or another age-restricted platform, you're far from alone. Neither of you is breaking the law, and there's no fine. But the account can be removed at any time. You don't have to wait for the platform to act.

Are we in trouble?

No. eSafety is clear that there are no penalties for under-16s on an age-restricted platform, or for their parents or carers. The law only puts obligations on the platforms.

If anyone asks you or your child to pay a fine for being on social media under 16, or for an account that "isn't verified", eSafety says it's a scam. Don't pay. Scamwatch has more.

Why do they still have it?

Usually because the platform hasn't caught it yet. eSafety's research found most under-16s who had accounts before the ban had kept them or made new ones three months in, mostly because of weak age checks. In March, eSafety raised concerns about Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, including letting children retry an age check until they passed.

Will they lose it?

Probably, at some point before they turn 16. eSafety says an account can be removed or deactivated at any time, even one that has already passed an age check. Platforms are expected to check again when they see signs a user is under 16, such as:

• school-hours activity patterns;
• the way they write;
• their friends' ages;
• face or voice age estimates from what they post.

Anyone can also report an account as under 16.

Some platforms let a child pick the account back up at 16. eSafety says not to rely on it: an account may be deleted rather than paused.

What you can do now

eSafety suggests you don't need to wait for the platform. Its four steps for parents:

1. Ask what matters most to them: which people, groups and communities. Then help them find other ways to stay in touch, like swapping phone numbers with close friends.
2. Help them download and save their data: photos, contacts and memories, in case the account is deleted rather than paused.
3. Wind it back together. Start reducing use now, and make it a family effort by doing it yourself too.
4. Show them where to get help. eSafety's "I need help" page for young people is worth bookmarking.

You can also delete the apps together. Do it as a decision you make with your child, not a raid.

Don't set up an account in your name for them

It's a common workaround, and eSafety addresses it directly. If a platform is satisfied an account is really used by someone under 16 and not their parent, it should remove it.

If something goes wrong on the account

This is the part we'd most want every parent to know. If your child is harmed on a platform they "shouldn't" be on, they should still report it. eSafety says they won't get into trouble for being there. When eSafety handles a report of cyberbullying or image-based abuse, it doesn't tell the platform the child is under 16.

So the message to give your child is: "If something bad happens, tell me. You won't be in trouble for where it happened." Our guides on online grooming warning signs and sextortion explain what to watch for.