is Snapchat banned for under-16s in Australia?
Snapchat is age-restricted — under 16 cannot hold an account. category: ephemeral messaging and social.
why is Snapchat banned?
Snapchat is classified as an age-restricted platform because its primary purpose includes social interaction with strangers (Snap Map, Discover, public stories) — not just private messaging. Snapchat is one of the five platforms under active eSafety investigation in March 2026.
what changes for Snapchat
Under-16 Snapchat accounts held by Australians are being deactivated. The ban applies to the full Snapchat service including Snap Map and Stories.
what happens to existing under-16 accounts
Existing under-16 accounts are being removed. Streaks, memories and saved snaps become inaccessible. Teens should save what they want to keep before deactivation.
what parents should do
- •help your child export their memories before account removal
- •warn them about Snap Map location-sharing with strangers — this is an independent safety concern regardless of the ban
- •explain that direct messaging with friends can continue on exempt services: iMessage, Messenger, WhatsApp
- •if your teen is close to 16, they can re-create an account after their birthday
- •watch for VPN workarounds — Australian law applies regardless of VPN
alternatives for under-16s
- •iMessage or SMS with friends
- •WhatsApp groups
- •Messenger
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.