Running a startup or side hustle as a young entrepreneur is already a massive balancing act. Between managing your product, keeping customers happy, and looking at your financial reports, you’ve got a lot on your plate.
Lately, there’s been one topic dominating headlines that directly impacts our community: Australia’s world-first social media minimum age law.
Because so many young business owners rely on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to market their brands, this new rule has left many people asking questions. Let’s break down exactly what the ban means, who it affects, and how you can manage your business through it.
1. The Lowdown: What is the Ban?
The Australian Government passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, which officially took effect on 10 December 2025.
The core rule is simple: anyone under the age of 16 is prohibited from holding accounts on major social media platforms.
Here are the key details you need to know:
- The Platforms Affected: The ban covers apps with features such as infinite scrolling, algorithms, and “like” counts. This means TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, Threads, Twitch, and Kick are all restricted.
- What’s NOT Banned: Under-16s can still use messaging apps (like WhatsApp and Messenger Kids), online gaming platforms (unless specific communication bans apply), and platforms purely meant for education or health support (like Google Classroom).
- No Loophole for Parents: Parents cannot give consent to bypass the rule.
- Who Gets Fined?: If you are under 16, you and your parents will not face fines or legal penalties if you end up on these apps. The legal onus (responsibility) is entirely on the tech companies. Platforms can face massive fines of up to $49.5 million if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to keep under-16s off their networks.
2. The Age Check: How Apps Are Doing It
To comply with the law, platforms are implementing age assurance systems. When you log in or try to create an account, platforms are using methods like:
- Facial Age Estimation: Using your device’s camera to estimate your age based on a quick video or photo scan.
- Identity Documents: Uploading an official ID (like a passport or learner’s permit), though platforms must offer an alternative option if you don’t want to upload documents.
3. What This Means for Your Business
If you are a youngpreneur, this law affects your business in two major ways, depending on your age and your target market.
Scenario A: You are a Business Owner Under 16
If you are under 16 and running a business, the tech companies are legally required to remove your personal and business accounts from these platforms. This can feel incredibly frustrating when you’ve worked hard to build a following.
Scenario B: Your Customers Are Under 16
Even if you are over 16, if your startup sells products or services targeted at teenagers or kids (such as school accessories, teen fashion, or gaming gear), your primary marketing channel has just changed. Your target audience is no longer legally allowed to scroll Instagram or TikTok, meaning your organic reach on those platforms will drop.
4. How to Manage It and Pivot Your Marketing
As entrepreneurs, our superpower is adaptability. When one door closes, we build a new one. Here is how you can manage your brand’s growth without relying on restricted social media accounts:
- Own Your Audience (Email Marketing): Social media platforms are “rented land”: you don’t own your followers. Start building an email list today. Use simple tools to create a newsletter that lets you talk to your customers directly, share updates, and offer discounts. Nobody can ban you from your own email list!
- Focus on Professional Networking: The new laws explicitly exempt professional development and networking sites. Platforms like LinkedIn are not part of the under-16 ban. If you’re building a business, learning to network professionally on LinkedIn is a massive asset anyway.
- Supercharge Your Website and SEO: If people can’t find you on TikTok, they’ll turn to standard search engines. Focus on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), which just means writing high-quality content on your website using the exact words your customers type into Google.
- Leverage Reviews and Word-of-Mouth: Happy customers are your best marketing tool. Encourage your existing customers to leave reviews on your website or online store. Word of mouth travels fast in schools and local communities, and an authentic recommendation beats a social media ad any day.
Keep Moving Forward
Changes in government policy can feel disruptive, but they also level the playing field. The young entrepreneurs who succeed won’t be the ones trying to find sneaky ways around age checks; they will be the ones building smarter, more resilient marketing strategies beyond social media.
Stay focused on your product, look after your customers, and keep building your dream business.
