Australia's New Age Restrictions for Social Media: Apple Offers Developer Compliance Tools
Australia's new law mandates social media apps prevent users under 16 from Dec 10, 2025. Apple provides developers with tools like the Declared Age Range API and App Store features for compliance.
Effective December 10, 2025, a new Australian law will mandate that specific social media platforms operating within Australia prevent individuals under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining a social media account. Developers whose apps are impacted are responsible for ensuring full compliance with this legislation, which includes deactivating existing accounts for underage users and vigilantly monitoring new sign-ups.
To assist developers in meeting these new legal requirements, Apple offers several robust tools and features:
Declared Age Range API
The new Declared Age Range API empowers developers to deliver age-appropriate experiences. Developers can request a specific age range pertinent to their app's use case, such as "under 16," and dynamically adjust app behavior based on this declared information.
App Store Product Page Description
When submitting an app to the App Store, developers are required to provide a description that helps users assess its suitability. This field can be utilized to convey crucial information not always covered elsewhere on the product page, such as specific social media age restrictions for minors.
In-App Controls on the App Store Product Page
Apple recently enhanced the mandatory age ratings questionnaire for all apps, introducing new questions about in-app controls, including age assurance and parental control features. Apps that implement age assurance methods, such as the Declared Age Range API, to comply with laws preventing users under 16 from account creation, can now clearly indicate this capability directly on their App Store product page.
Higher Minimum Age Rating Option
Following a recent update to age ratings, developers now have the flexibility to manually set a higher age rating than the one automatically generated by their responses to the age ratings questionnaire within App Store Connect. Developers can review the assigned age rating for each of their applications and opt for a higher rating in the 'App Information' section of App Store Connect.
Age Suitability URL
When modifying an app's age rating, developers have the option to provide an 'Age Suitability URL.' This URL links to a developer-hosted webpage offering detailed information about the app and its age-related content. Once enabled, this link will be displayed on the App Store product page within the age ratings details section. This feature allows developers to convey region-specific information and requirements, such as Australia's mandate prohibiting individuals under 16 from holding social media accounts.