From 10 December 2025, new Australian laws will require certain social media platforms to prevent people under the age of 16 from having accounts.
Social media plays an important role across community football, from sharing news and celebrating achievements to communicating with players, parents and volunteers. With many clubs supporting junior participants, it’s important that leagues, clubs and families understand what these changes mean – and what they don’t.
What is changing?
From 10 December 2025, the following platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or holding accounts:
- Kick
- Snapchat
- Threads
- TikTok
- Twitch
- X (formerly Twitter)
- YouTube
This list may change over time as new platforms emerge or existing services change how they operate. Clubs are encouraged to regularly check the latest list, particularly if they use apps for team communication or engagement.
Who is responsible?
Importantly, the responsibility sits with the platforms themselves, not with:
- Sporting organisations or leagues
- Clubs or volunteers
- Parents or carers
- Young people
There are no penalties for under-16s who access an age-restricted platform, or for their parents or carers.
Members who are 16 years and older, including parents and carers, can continue to access and use all social media platforms as normal. Under-16s can also still view publicly available content that does not require logging into an account.
What does this mean for clubs?
If your club relies on under-16 members having social media accounts to receive updates or communicate with coaches and administrators, you may need to explore alternative communication methods.
Many standalone messaging apps, including WhatsApp and Messenger, are not affected by the new law as of 10 December 2025 and can continue to be used, provided they comply with your club’s safeguarding and child safety policies.
Safeguarding obligations remain unchanged
Most Australian sport organisations already operate under strict safeguarding and child safety policies, particularly when it comes to online interaction with young people. These policies are not changing, and all existing expectations and rules continue to apply.
Clubs and volunteers should continue to follow guidance provided by:
- Your national, state or local sport organisation
- Sport Integrity Australia – Safeguarding
- Play by the Rules – Child Safe Community Sport
- Netball Victoria – Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy
Posting photos and videos of junior players
The new law does not affect the ability of clubs or leagues to post photos or videos of under-16 participants on sport-run social media accounts, as long as those accounts are owned and managed by staff, volunteers and/or members who are 16 or older.
As always, if content includes anyone under 16, clubs must adhere to all relevant sport-specific policies relating to:
- Photography
- Video content
- Livestreaming of children and young people
For further guidance, clubs can refer to their national sport organisation, Sport Integrity Australia, or the eSafety Sports Hub.
Reporting and reviews
Age-restricted platforms will be required to provide clear processes for:
- Reporting underage accounts
- Requesting reviews if someone has been age-restricted incorrectly or due to false reporting
AFL South East, together with the MPFNL encourages all clubs, volunteers and families to familiarise themselves with these changes and ensure communication practices continue to support safe, inclusive and well-governed community football environments.
If you know anyone finding these changes difficult, direct them to utilise the below information and resources:
