is Instagram banned for under-16s in Australia?
Instagram is age-restricted — under 16 cannot hold an account. category: photo and video sharing.
why is Instagram banned?
Instagram (owned by Meta) is an age-restricted social media platform under the Act. It is one of the five platforms under active eSafety compliance investigation in March 2026.
what changes for Instagram
Meta must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping an Instagram account. Existing under-16 Australian accounts are being removed. New sign-ups from Australia need age assurance.
what happens to existing under-16 accounts
Existing under-16 accounts are being deactivated. Parents and teens can request data downloads before deactivation. Posts, followings and messages become inaccessible during deactivation.
what parents should do
- •help your child back up photos and DMs before their account is removed
- •check whether they have a second account ("finsta") — those are also banned
- •if they're close to 16, they'll need to re-create their account after their 16th birthday with age verification
- •talk about what they used Instagram for — seeing friends' lives, posting art, messaging — so you can suggest alternatives
- •messaging with friends can continue via Messenger, WhatsApp or iMessage (all exempt from the ban)
alternatives for under-16s
- •Messenger (family group chats)
- •Pinterest (inspiration boards)
- •YouTube Kids
- •offline photo-sharing with friends
law: Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024
started: 10 December 2025
regulator: eSafety Commissioner
platform penalty: up to $49.5 million
sources
view the full social media ban guide
all banned and exempt platforms, parent guidance, enforcement status
this guide summarises the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 as it applied on 23 april 2026. eSafety may reclassify services; check eSafety Commissioner for the current platform list. mini mode is not affiliated with any government agency or platform.