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Countdown to D-Day: Smartphone Restrictions for Under-16s Loom
10 Nov, 2025
Summary
- December 10 is the deadline for new age restrictions on social media platforms
- YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok among the affected platforms
- Uncertainty remains around the real-world impact on under-16s
As the calendar turns to November 2025, a significant change is on the horizon for young social media users. On December 10, new age restrictions are set to take effect, impacting platforms like Google's YouTube, Meta's Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok.
According to the article, the eSafety Commissioner is not banning smartphones entirely for under-16s, but several high-profile platforms will be subject to the new rules. This includes not only the Meta-owned services, but also Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, and even the recently rebranded X (formerly Twitter).
However, the details of how these restrictions will be implemented and enforced remain murky. The article notes that the "cloak-and-dagger" approach often employed by social media providers is continuing, despite the eSafety Commissioner's emphasis on transparency.
As the December 10 deadline looms, the "anxious generation" of young people who have grown up with ubiquitous smartphone access face an uncertain future. The article poses the question: "What will life actually look like for under-16s when they wake up on December 10?"
