Beginning December 10, 2025, social media platforms classified as age-restricted must take steps to block Australians under 16 from creating accounts. The requirement follows late-2024 amendments to the Online Safety Act 2021, which established the Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) framework.

The new rules for “age-restricted social media platforms” apply to both existing users under 16 and any new accounts created. Platforms covered by the regulation are those primarily designed to enable interaction between two or more users, allow connections or interactions among users, and permit users to post content. This broad definition ensures that the minimum age requirements apply across a wide range of social media services.

The definition of age-restricted social media platforms also allows for flexibility, enabling the government to narrow or adjust the scope through legislative measures. In July, Australia’s Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, introduced the Online Safety Rules 2025 (the Rules), which clarify which online services are exempt from the Social Media Minimum Age framework. 

Exemptions include messaging, email, voice, and video calling services, online games, platforms primarily providing information about products or services, professional networking and development services, as well as education and health services. The Rules are designed to protect young users from potential harms associated with social media while ensuring continued access to essential communication, educational, and health services.

Social media platforms meeting these criteria, such as Snapchat, Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, will be required to show that they have taken reasonable measures to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts, placing the responsibility squarely on the platforms themselves. Children under 16 who gain access to an age-restricted platform will not face any penalties, nor will their parents or guardians be held accountable.

In a BBC interview, Wells said she is undeterred by tech companies that oppose the country’s “world-leading” social media ban. “We stand firm on the side of parents and not on the platforms, Wells stated. She argued that tech companies have had years to enhance their practices, particularly given research highlighting the potential harms caused by their platforms. “I am not intimidated by big tech because I understand the moral imperative of what we’re doing,” she added. 

The announcement of the social media ban has sparked widespread discussion online. Many have praised the law, with some international observers calling on their own governments to adopt similar measures to protect children. However, critics argue that the legislation amounts to censorship, with certain age groups claiming it infringes on personal freedom.

Concerns over the impact of social media and AI on children have intensified, leading to new laws focused on safeguarding young users from the risks posed by AI chatbots. These measures come in response to lawsuits from parents who claim that certain AI models have negatively affected their children’s mental health and wellbeing. The ongoing debate spotlights the broader challenge of ensuring social media platforms provide a safe environment for children online.

The post Australia Sets Tough New Rule: No Social Media Accounts for Under-16s first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2025/12/03/australia-sets-tough-new-rule-no-social-media-accounts-for-under-16s/. Content ID: SD30775T960b7058. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Key points:

• X has launched Handles Marketplace, allowing Premium users to bid on inactive usernames, with some rare handles valued at over seven figures.
  
• The new system restricts participation to paying subscribers and prohibits reselling acquired handles, aiming to reassign dormant accounts.
  
• Public response has been divided, with some praising the move as innovative and others criticizing it as another monetization tactic by the platform.

“Handles are coming,” the official Handles Marketplace account announced on October 18, as the platform opened its waitlist for interested X users. Currently in its beta phase, the platform allows Premium subscribers to join a waitlist for upcoming handle drops, request specific usernames, and browse inactive accounts eligible for redistribution. X described the initiative as a way to reassign unused handles, with access limited to paying members.

According to the Handles Marketplace FAQ page, certain usernames are included with Premium+ or Premium Business subscriptions, while others, particularly rare or highly sought-after handles, can range in price from $2,500 to well over seven figures, depending on their demand and exclusivity.

Premium subscribers can add desired usernames to their Watchlist and will receive notifications once those handles become available. The Handles Marketplace also stated that all acquired handles are non-transferable, and any attempt to buy or sell them outside the platform could result in account suspension.

Public reaction to the platform’s announcement has been mixed. While many X users expressed enthusiasm over the opportunity to claim long-coveted usernames, others raised questions about its broader implications.

“On one hand, it could be smart freeing up ghost accounts, helping brands claim the handles they’ve wanted. On the other, it feels like monetising what was once freely shared. The value is shifting, and not always in users’ favour,” X user, Surendra Koutarapu, wrote. 

Aida Bell, a marketing and algorithm strategist, described the initiative as more than a simple product rollout, calling it a new kind of “identity system.” She noted that in 2025, a user handle represents more than a clickable link, it defines how people are recognized and remembered online.

As X continues to reshape its platform around premium features and digital identity, the success of Handles Marketplace may hinge on whether users see it as genuine innovation, or just another paywall in the evolving social media economy.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

The post X Unveils Handles Marketplace for Inactive Usernames, Sparking Debate first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2025/10/22/x-unveils-handles-marketplace-for-inactive-usernames-sparking-debate/. Content ID: SD29770T7a446f9b. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.