The reach of Australia’s under-16 social media ban is extending beyond explicitly named platforms as ByteDance’s Lemon8 app announces it will voluntarily restrict users to those over 16 from next week. The decision represents a significant victory for regulators who have warned that platforms cannot simply serve as havens for users displaced by the legislation targeting major social media sites.
Lemon8 had experienced a surge in interest precisely because it wasn’t included in the initial list of banned platforms for young teens. The Instagram-style app appeared to offer an alternative for users seeking to maintain social media presence while technically complying with new restrictions. However, the eSafety Commissioner’s communications indicating close monitoring of the platform prompted ByteDance to proactively implement age restrictions rather than face potential future penalties.
YouTube’s simultaneous announcement of compliance creates a comprehensive reshaping of Australia’s youth digital landscape. Parent company Google has strongly opposed the platform’s inclusion, with Rachel Lord warning the legislation “fundamentally misunderstands” how young Australians use YouTube and will make children “less safe” by removing account-based protections. The company highlighted that features including parental supervision, content restrictions, and wellbeing reminders will become unavailable to under-16s.
Minister Anika Wells has dismissed tech industry concerns with direct language unusual for government communications, calling YouTube’s warnings “outright weird” during her National Press Club address. Wells argued that platforms highlighting their own safety problems should focus on solving those issues rather than opposing protective legislation. She emphasized that tech companies have wielded enormous power by deploying algorithms designed to maximize teenage engagement for profit, and the ban represents taking that power back.
The government’s enforcement strategy emphasizes flexibility and evolution with digital trends. Wells warned that authorities will pursue any platform that becomes a destination for content harmful to young teens, specifically mentioning even professional networks like LinkedIn as potential future targets if circumstances warrant. With the eSafety Commissioner set to collect monthly compliance data and penalties reaching 50 million dollars, Australia is establishing what may become a global model for youth digital protection despite ongoing debate about effectiveness and implementation challenges.