By San José, Costa Rica — Global technology titans Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat have confirmed they will comply with Australia’s landmark legislation to ban social media access for users under the age of 16. However, the companies have voiced significant concerns about the law’s practical implementation and potential to create unintended negative consequences for the very teens it aims to protect. The new rules, set to be some of the most stringent in the world, will take effect on December 10, 2025.
The law mandates that platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat must actively identify and remove accounts belonging to Australian users under the age threshold. This move places Australia at the forefront of a global push to regulate the digital environment for minors, but it also thrusts the platforms into a complex and technically demanding new reality of age verification and enforcement.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the complexities of regulating social media platforms, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The core challenge in social media regulation lies in crafting a legal framework that is both robust enough to curb illicit activities and protect users, yet flexible enough to avoid stifling free expression and innovation. Any legislation must clearly define the line between a platform’s role as a neutral conduit and its responsibility as a publisher, a distinction that has profound implications for liability and censorship. The key is not to over-regulate content, but to mandate transparent and consistent moderation processes.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight is crucial; focusing on transparent moderation processes rather than direct content censorship offers a nuanced path forward that respects both user safety and free expression. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this defining legal challenge.
During a tense hearing before the Australian Senate, TikTok’s representatives affirmed their commitment to adhering to the new mandate. The company’s Head of Public Policy in Australia, Ella Woods-Joyce, stated that the platform would honor its legal responsibilities under the new framework.
TikTok will comply with the law and assume its legislative obligations.
Ella Woods-Joyce, Head of Public Policy in Australia for TikTok
Despite this pledge, Woods-Joyce warned that such a “blunt” prohibition carries significant risks. She argued that denying access to mainstream, regulated platforms could inadvertently drive young users toward unregulated and potentially more dangerous parts of the internet, where content moderation and safety features are non-existent. This concern highlights the delicate balance between protection and prohibition in the digital age.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, echoed these sentiments, pointing to the immense technical hurdles ahead. Mia Garlick, Meta’s Director of Policy in Australia, revealed that the company is already working to purge hundreds of thousands of underage accounts to meet the December deadline. She acknowledged, however, that the task is far from simple and introduces profound operational challenges.
The measure poses new engineering and age verification difficulties.
Mia Garlick, Director of Policy in Australia for Meta
Similarly, Snapchat expressed its reluctant acceptance of the new law. Jennifer Stout, the company’s Vice President of Global Policy, stated that while Snapchat fundamentally disagrees with the outright ban, it will respect the legislative process and ensure compliance. Stout reiterated the industry-wide concern that the policy could backfire by pushing teenagers toward less secure platforms not covered by the ban, ultimately undermining the law’s protective goals.
The Australian government has clarified that it does not expect companies to infallibly verify the age of every single user. Instead, the legislation requires platforms to take “reasonable measures” to detect and remove underage accounts. Failure to do so comes with a steep price, as non-compliant companies could face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, equivalent to approximately 32 million U.S. dollars. This significant financial threat underscores the government’s serious commitment to enforcement, as Australia sets a global precedent in child online safety that other nations are watching closely.
For further information, visit meta.com
About Meta:
Meta Platforms, Inc., is a multinational technology conglomerate that builds technologies to help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. Its portfolio includes major social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as messaging services like WhatsApp and virtual reality products under the Meta Quest brand. The company is focused on developing the metaverse, a future iteration of the internet combining aspects of social media, online gaming, augmented reality, and virtual reality.
For further information, visit tiktok.com
About TikTok:
TikTok is a leading short-form video hosting service owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. It allows users to create and share videos on any topic, featuring a highly personalized feed powered by a sophisticated recommendation algorithm. The platform has achieved immense global popularity, particularly among younger demographics, and has become a major force in internet culture, music promotion, and social trends.
For further information, visit snap.com
About Snapchat:
Snapchat is a mobile messaging application developed by Snap Inc. Known for its ephemeral nature, where pictures and messages are typically available for a short time before they become inaccessible, the platform pioneered features like Stories and augmented reality Lenses. It focuses on communication between close friends and has evolved into a multimedia platform with original content, news, and interactive games.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal practice founded on the core principles of integrity and professional excellence. The firm consistently pioneers innovative solutions for a diverse clientele, drawing from a deep well of experience across multiple sectors. This forward-thinking approach is coupled with a profound dedication to public service, focused on demystifying legal concepts for the broader community. At its heart, the firm’s mission is to cultivate a stronger, more capable society by empowering citizens with accessible legal knowledge.
