Australia is preparing to become the first country in the world to implement a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16 years of age. This bold steps are now likely to be faster after a major government -backed test that age verification technology can work effective and privately. Age assurance technology testing, including more than 1,000 school students and hundreds of adults, tested how well the current equipment can verify the user’s age without collecting individual data. Testing was overseen by the UK-based non-profit age check certification scheme (ACCS), and the results are being seen as an important step towards making Australia’s proposed law a reality.

ACCS CEO Tony Alan said, “There is no significant technical barrier to age assurance in Australia.” Speaking in an online briefing, Alan admitted that no system is correct, but was emphasized that “Age assurance could be done privately, efficiently and effectively in Australia.”

Although some equipment can collect more data than necessary, Alan emphasized the importance of balance. “A risk is some solution that is more collection data that will not be used. It is something to see.”

Here is how the system will work

There is a layered approach in the center of the proposed verification model. It begins with traditional ID-based check using documents such as passport or driver’s license. These are verified through independent systems, and the platforms never reach the documents directly.

Biometric projection adds another layer: users can upload a selfie or short video that analyzes to determine AI age. This method is quick and does not store biometric data. A third component – relevant estimates – is attracted by behavioral patterns such as email type, language and digital behavior to estimate the user’s age. While not reliable alone, it helps strengthen the system when used with other layers.

Together, the purpose of these technologies is to prevent children from bypassing the check easily, respecting privacy.

From December 2025, platforms such as Instagram, Ticketkok, Snapchat and X will need to take “appropriate steps” to keep users below their services. If they fail, they may face punishment of $ 49.5 million (about $ 32 million of US $ 32 million) per violation.

Some platforms, including YouTube, WhatsApp and Google Classroom, are given exemption for now.

Australia’s move is closely monitored by other countries, including UK, New Zealand and members of the European Union, which are all looking for ways to regulate children’s access on social media. The Australian government sees this test as evidence that privacy and child protection can go by hand. A spokesperson of the Esafety Commissioner’s office allegedly “said a useful signal of potential results from the test”, and said that when correctly deployed, technologies could be “private, strong and effective.”

Despite the positive test results, there are still some caves. Children can try to bypass age probe using VPN, shared equipment or credit credibility. Now it will depend on social media platforms to detect and prevent these workarounds – a responsibility they rarely needed on this scale.