Find out which apps are included and excluded from the social media ban.

The government has recently proposed new laws that aim to restrict children under the age of 16 from using social media. However, there has been some confusion surrounding the definition of "social media" and which specific websites and apps will be affected by this ban. It has also been announced that any platform that allows minors under the age of 16 to use their services will face a hefty fine of $50 million.

To address these concerns, the government has taken steps to clarify the scope of the new legislation. Here's what we currently know about the situation. First, let's take a closer look at which social media platforms will be covered by the under-16 ban. The laws do not explicitly name any specific platforms, but they do provide a definition for "age-restricted social media platform". This implies that any platform that falls under this category will be subject to the ban.

Upon further clarification from Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, it has been confirmed that the ban will at least apply to popular platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram, and X. However, it's worth noting that there may be other platforms that will also have to comply with the age limit, as stated by Rowland. These six platforms are the only ones that have been explicitly mentioned by the government thus far.

On the other hand, some social media platforms will be exempt from the under-16 ban. The new laws give the government the authority to make certain types of platforms exempt from the age limit. While there is no definitive list of which platforms will be exempt, the government has indicated that Facebook Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, ReachOut's PeerChat, Kids Helpline MyCircle, Google Classroom, and YouTube will not be affected by the ban.

Additionally, other apps that have a similar level of interactivity as social media but serve a significant purpose in providing education and health support for young people will also be exempt. This includes video games and some messaging services. However, the exemptions will not be solely determined by the government. The laws mandate that the communications minister must seek advice from the eSafety Commissioner and consider any advice from other relevant authorities or agencies before granting exemptions.

It's important to keep in mind that the age limit has yet to be passed by parliament, so there is still a possibility that the details may change before it becomes law. Nonetheless, the government is taking steps to ensure that children's safety and well-being are protected while using social media.

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