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How Australia’s new under-16 social media rules will impact Student Exchange Australia New Zealand Exchange students
Australia is introducing new national restrictions on social media use for anyone under 16 years old, and many families are asking how this will impact their child’s exchange experience. This may affect how Student Exchange Australia New Zealand Exchange students aged 14-15 stay in contact with their friends and family back home while residing in Australia. As on the date of publishing this article, we don’t know exactly how this ban will be enforced, but we using available articles and information, here is a summary of what parents, agents and host families need to know.
What the new law does
From 10 December 2025, the Australian Government requires major social media companies to restrict access to users under 16 years old. his means many familiar platforms will be classified as “age-restricted social media services”. The rule applies based on the user’s physical location and not the place where his account was created.
Which platforms are likely to be affected?
The following platforms are considered “age-restricted” and may block access for users under 16 in Australia:
Highly likely to be restricted
- Highly likely to be restricted
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Discord-main social channels, not all features
- Twitch (social and chat functions)
Possibly restricted depending on age-verification changes
- BeReal
- WeChat Moments / Social Feed features
- Threads
- Tumblr
Platforms normally not affected
The following are not considered to be “social media” under the law, as they are principally messaging, utility or education tools:
- Messenger (including Messenger Kids)
- FaceTime / iMessage
- Zoom / Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams / school apps
- Most gaming platforms for chatting are Roblox, Fortnite chat, Nintendo Online.
- YouTube (depending on account settings)
What this means for Student Exchange Australia New Zealand students under 16
An entering student who is 14 or 15 may find that:
- Their social media accounts cease to work when they reach Australia.
- They are prompted to confirm their age and cannot complete the process.
- New sign-ups for under-16s are blocked altogether
- Apps behave differently, or restricted modes appear
- Some apps may log them out altogether if the system detects their location.
- Students 16 years or older would not be impacted.
What workaround might students attempt?
Students may try to find ways around losing access, and families need to know what is possible, and what is not.
These methods may not violate the law since liability is held with platforms, not users:
- Using YouTube logged in under a parent’s or host family’s account. This includes YouTube partly – comments, DMs, and community posts may be restricted for under-16s.
- Using WhatsApp, iMessage, or Messenger Kids – these are not disallowed.
- Using a parent-managed Google or Apple account as long as parental controls allow it.
- Logging in to access content
- Some allow browsing without creating an account.
Workarounds that may no longer work:
- Using a VPN
- Many platforms already detect the use of VPNs or verify ages. Once they reconnect normally, most under-16s will still be blocked.
- Creating a new account with a fictitious birth date
- More and more, the platforms use facial-age estimation or ID verification.
- Logging in from overseas before travel
- Age and location can be rechecked by platforms once a user is in Australia.
Workarounds we do not recommend:
- Using somebody else’s personal ID
- Supplying false identification
- Circumventing parental controls on devices
- These methods violate platform policies and can put students at risk.
How exchange students coming into Australia can prepare
We recommend the following for students under 16 coming to Australia, before travel:
- Backup photos, messages, and videos in case an application disables access.
- Set up alternative communication channels: WhatsApp, email, FaceTime
- Let students know that they might temporarily lose access to some platforms.
- Discuss expectations for staying in touch during the program
- During the exchange, we encourage you to focus on in-person connection with their host family and new friends.
Does that change anything with regard to visas or exchange eligibility?
No. The law does not affect visa, travel, or program admission. It only affects how social media companies operate inside Australia.
Treat this as an opportunity to break free from the pressures of social media, and really experience an authentic Aussie life, and get connected to your local host family and new friends.
Simon Costain, National Director
Over the years we have seen many students spend too much time on social media and not make the most of their once in a lifetime opportunity to have the ultimate In Real Life experience.
