The government’s plans to bar under-16s from social media might take “days or even weeks” to properly take effect, communications minister Anika Wells has conceded, saying the world-leading scheme won’t work perfectly from day one.
Lemon8, a newer social media app that has experienced a surge in interest recently because it is not included in the ban, will restrict its users to over-16s from next week, Guardian Australia can reveal. The eSafety Commission had previously warned it was closely monitoring the app for possible inclusion in the ban.
With just one week until the children’s social media ban begins on 10 December, several large platforms, including YouTube and TikTok, have still not told users what age assurance methods they must undergo.
Wells said the government remains committed to the social media ban, stressing that platforms which allow children to remain online after next Wednesday would be breaking the law – even as she conceded some under-16s will get around the rules.
“With almost 86% of Australian children aged between eight and 15 on social media, we accept it will take time for the age assurance sieve to filter out the existing accounts and stop new accounts from being created,” Wells will tell the National Press Club on Wednesday, according to advance speech excerpts.
“We know it won’t be perfect from day one but we won’t give up – and we won’t let the platforms off the hook.”
Sign up: AU Breaking News email
Meta has told users of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Threads what to expect from next week. A Reddit spokesperson said the company had no updates to share when contacted by Guardian Australia on Tuesday, while X, TikTok, YouTube and Kick have also not publicly confirmed how they will comply with the legislation and did not respond to questions.
Platforms not taking steps to remove users under the age of 16 risk fines of up to $50m. The Coalition has raised concerns about the timing and implementation of the ban, questioning how the age verification systems will operate, and there is at least one legal challenge under way.
Wells will tell the Press Club “there will still be kids with accounts on 10 December, and probably for some time after that”.
The government has said sending a signal to parents and children about not accessing social media is worthwhile, even if some children slip through the net.
Wells will say it will take some time before tech companies are threatened with the $50m fines, explaining that the eSafety Commission will seek information from the platforms on 11 December about their efforts to purge underage users. It will then seek data monthly.
“The government recognises that age assurance may require several days or even weeks to complete fairly and accurately,” she will say.
In a press conference in Adelaide on Tuesday, Wells foreshadowed more platforms being added to the under-16s ban if children migrated to sites not currently listed.
She told media to “stay tuned” for news about Lemon8, an Instagram-style app not included in the ban. Guardian Australia understands the eSafety Commission has written to Lemon8 – owned by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance – to say the agency would monitor the platform for possible inclusion after the scheme begins.
It is also understood Lemon8 has decided to restrict its users to those aged over 16 from 10 December.
“If everybody ends up on LinkedIn, and LinkedIn becomes a place where there is online bullying, algorithms targeting 13 to 16-year-olds in a way that’s deteriorating their mental and physical health, then we will go after LinkedIn,” Wells said on Tuesday.
“That’s why all platforms are on notice. We have to be agile and dynamic.”
Wells said the government “we will not be flinching in the face of any intimidation, any threats” from big tech platforms who might be considering challenging the ban.
