Elon Musk’s platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has confirmed it will comply with Australia’s newly enforced social media ban for users under 16. The announcement came on the day the law officially took effect, marking a historic first for any country implementing such sweeping age-based restrictions. Although the company had strongly criticised the legislation in the past, X stated that compliance was “not our choice, but a legal requirement,” signaling a pragmatic shift in its approach to government regulation.
The Australian government introduced the ban as a move to protect children from online harms, including cyberbullying, explicit content, and mental health risks associated with social media use. Under the new law, platforms such as X, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat must prevent anyone under the age of 16 from accessing their services. Companies that fail to do so could face hefty fines, prompting global platforms to publicly confirm compliance. X’s cooperation was particularly notable given its earlier resistance and strong criticism of the policy.
X had previously called the law “punitive” and had urged the government to delay its implementation. The company argued that the ban raised major legal concerns related to privacy, digital rights, and freedom of expression, especially for teenagers who rely on social platforms for communication and community building. It also pointed out the practical challenges of enforcing the ban, citing the lack of a universal, safe, and privacy-friendly age-verification system. Despite this pushback, the law moved forward, forcing the platform to adjust its public position.
With the ban now active, X will implement new verification measures and monitoring tools to identify underage users and block access accordingly. The company has not yet detailed how these systems will work, but they are expected to rely on behavioural patterns, user reports, and optional verification prompts rather than government ID checks. This approach aims to balance compliance with user privacy, though critics warn the system may still be prone to loopholes.
The decision by X to comply highlights the growing influence of national regulations on global technology companies. It also raises questions about how similar bans might spread across other countries facing their own debates over children’s digital safety. For Australia, the move represents a major step toward reshaping the online landscape for minors. For X, it reflects the reality that even platforms known for challenging authority must adjust when the legal and financial stakes are high.
As the new rules settle in, the impact on Australian teens, parents, and the overall digital ecosystem will become clearer. For now, X’s decision underscores a simple truth: in the face of a landmark law, even Elon Musk’s platform is not immune to government authority.
