Apple has launched new tools to help app developers follow Australia’s new law that blocks children under 16 from using social media.
The ban takes effect on December 10, and major platforms must stop underage users from creating or keeping accounts.
Apple says developers are responsible for meeting the rules, but the company is offering several features to support compliance with this new global first.
Under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, and X face fines up to 49.5 million AUD if they fail to block under-16 users.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner will begin monitoring compliance on December 11.
Social Media Age Ban: Apple Rolls Out Tools for Age Verification
Apple has introduced a set of tools designed to help developers follow the new age rules without collecting sensitive personal data.
Key tools Apple is offering
- Declared Age Range API: Lets parents share only an age range (such as “under 16”) instead of exact birthdates.
- New App Store age ratings: Apple added new categories for 13+ and 16+, matching Australia’s legal requirements.
- In-app age control information: Developers can show on App Store pages how the app checks or restricts age.
- Age Suitability URL: Allows developers to link to pages explaining regional laws like Australia’s under-16 ban.
- Custom age restrictions: Developers can manually set a higher minimum age than Apple’s automatic rating system.
Apple says these tools help protect privacy while giving developers flexibility.
Also read about: Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Sparks Global Push
Debate Over Who Should Verify Ages
The new law has sparked a debate between tech companies. Apple says app developers should handle age checks. Meta argues that app stores should verify user ages for all apps, shifting responsibility to Apple and Google.
Meta has already removed about 500,000 Australian accounts belonging to users identified as under 16 across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Users can appeal by uploading an ID or completing a video-based age check through Yoti.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said enforcement will take time but stressed that the government will focus first on apps with the highest number of young users. She said Australia will follow a “risk-based approach” as the system improves.
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