Snapchat has officially started verifying the ages of its users in Australia, as the country prepares to enforce a social media ban for anyone under 16.
The move comes ahead of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which will take effect from December 10, 2025. Under this new law, all major platforms will be required to block users below 16 years of age.
Snapchat said that from this week, many Australian users will receive age-verification prompts inside the app. To continue using Snapchat, users will have to prove their age through one of three methods—by linking a bank account, submitting a government-issued ID, or taking a selfie for facial analysis by a third-party verification system.
If users fail to confirm that they are 16 or older, their accounts will be suspended or deleted once the law takes effect in December 2025. The company also advised younger users to download their data—including chats, memories, and files—before restrictions begin.
Snapchat emphasized that while it is cooperating with Australian authorities, it considers itself more of a messaging platform than a social media network. However, it said it remains committed to following the laws in every country where it operates.
Experts say that enforcing an age-verification system on social media is challenging, as fake IDs or images can easily bypass filters. Critics warn that such measures could push teenagers toward less secure or unregulated apps.
Meanwhile, platforms like WhatsApp, Discord, Pinterest, and Lego Play are temporarily excluded from the ban list—but Australian regulators say more platforms could be added later.