How New Age Verification Laws Affect Children’s Online Access

Technology is changing very quickly, and Australian families now need to deal with a digital world that is becoming more complicated every day. In 2026, this becomes even more important because new age‑verification laws are being introduced to help keep children safe online. These new rules will affect how young people use mobile phones and the internet, and how parents guide their children’s digital use at home. 

These changes are part of a broader shift in Australia’s technology regulations. The new laws will apply to major online services such as social media, search engines and adult content websites. The goal is to give parents greater confidence and peace of mind about how their children use mobile devices and the internet in daily life.

Australia is making major changes to improve online safety. At the end of 2025, the government updated the Online Safety Act to introduce a minimum social media age. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Reddit and YouTube must now take reasonable steps to stop Australians under 16 from having accounts. Companies that do not follow the rules can face civil penalties of up to $49.5 million. 

In 2026, age verification will expand across more digital services. Australians will increasingly need to prove their age on search engines, mobile apps and adult content websites to prevent children from accessing harmful material. These age assurance checks ensure platforms confirm a user’s age before allowing access to content that is not suitable for minors. 

Age verification is now an important part of the online world because technology companies are under pressure to keep young people safe. By checking a user’s age, platforms can block harmful content, limit access to services such as adult entertainment and gambling, and reduce risks like violent material or unsafe advertising. 

For Australian parents, these changes add another layer of protection and sit alongside other safety tools. They also show how important it is for parents to stay involved in their children’s online activities. As age verification expands through 2026, it will help families understand how these systems work and what duties fall on both platforms and users. Knowing what to expect can help parents guide their children in a more controlled and safer digital environment. 

1. Age Checks Will Become Normal on the Internet 

New rules from Australia’s eSafety Commissioner mean that websites and apps must check a user’s age before showing certain content. 

Websites might check someone’s age in a few ways: 

• ID check: showing a driver’s licence or government ID 

• Selfie check: taking a photo so a system can guess your age 

What this means for families: Kids will run into more pop‑ups or blocks when trying to download apps, use social media, browse the web, or watch certain videos. 

2. Starting March 2026: Strict Rules for Adult Websites 

Beginning 9 March 2026, people in Australia will have to prove they are 18 or older to enter adult websites. 

These sites must legally use age‑checking tools. This means: 

• Adults will no longer be able to access these sites without verification 

• Children will have a much harder time getting around filters 

• Mobile access will be blocked unless a user confirms they’re over 18 

What this means for parents: 
You will have stronger support from the network and internet companies themselves. It won’t just be up to home settings or parental controls. 

3. Starting June 2026: Search Engines Will Add Age Filters 

By 27 June 2026, search engines like Google and Bing will require users to sign in and pass an age check. 

Once that happens: 

• Search results will be different for kids and adults 

• Kids will automatically be blocked from seeing adult or harmful content 

• Everyday activities like homework searches, watching videos, or browsing for fun will be more filtered 

What this means for children: 
Kids will notice more limits on what they can search for, even with normal school tasks. 

More Control, More Responsibility 

As the new online safety laws roll out, parents will gain more control over what children can access online. But this also means parents will have more responsibility. 

Because age checks are becoming required on many apps and websites, younger kids may need help: 

• verifying identity 

• understanding why something is blocked 

• knowing what to do when a “You must be older” message appears 

Parents may need to guide children more often when using phones, tablets, and new apps. 

Increased Privacy Considerations 

Some age‑check tools use biometrics (like taking a selfie to guess age) or ID checks. These can raise privacy worries, especially around: 

• where the data goes 

• how long it is stored 

• who can see it 

• whether the information is kept safe 

Because these tools will become very common in Australia during 2026, families may need to: 

• read platform privacy policies more carefully 

• talk with kids about sharing personal information 

• choose the safest and simplest age‑check method available 

These changes will likely influence how families use the internet for many years. 

App Stores and Mobile Platforms Will Also Tighten Controls 

The new industry codes also apply to app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store. This means children will face tighter controls when installing apps. Expect changes like: 

• stronger blocks on apps rated for older users 

• more age checks before downloading 

• warning messages before installing mature or unsafe content 

• more limits on what children can see in the app store 

This will make it harder for kids to download apps without a parent’s guidance. 

As families adjust to new age‑verification requirements, having a mobile provider that supports simple, flexible controls can make everyday digital management much easier. Yomojo offers prepaid plans that give parents predictable costs and the ability to tailor mobile usage to each child’s needs. With straightforward options and customisable bundles, Yomojo can be a helpful choice for families wanting a safer, more manageable mobile experience in 2026. 

1. Check and Update Your Child’s Device Settings 

As age checks and restrictions become more common, it’s important to make sure your child’s device is set up safely. Some helpful steps include: 

• Turn on parental controls on iPhones (iOS) or Android phones 

• Use content filters in the app stores to block adult or mature apps 

• Create child‑friendly profiles so the device automatically hides unsafe content 

• Limit app downloads so your child needs permission before installing anything new 

These settings can help avoid surprises when websites or apps start asking for age checks. 

2. Learn About the Different Verification Methods 

Age checks will not all look the same. Some platforms may ask for: 

• a selfie (to estimate age) 

• a government ID (to verify age) 

• or a simple check based on account details 

To avoid confusion or accidentally sharing personal information, it helps to: 

• know which method each app or site uses 

• read privacy notes before uploading anything 

• choose the safest option for your family 

Being informed makes the process easier and safer. 

3. Talk to Your Children About Online Boundaries 

With new limits and more blocked content, children might feel confused or frustrated. Open conversations can make things smoother. 

Talk to them about: 

• why age checks exist 

• what kinds of content are not safe 

• why some websites or apps are not good for younger users 

• how they can ask you for help when something pops up 

When kids understand the “why,” they feel more confident and less stressed.