• Snapchat begins age verification for Australian users ahead of a new social media ban.
• The new law, effective December 10, prohibits under-16s from social media access.
• Verification methods include bank-linked age checks and uploading government IDs.
• Concerns arise about privacy and the implementation of age verification systems.
• The Australian ban is part of a global trend to regulate children's social media use.

Snapchat has initiated a process requiring teenage users in Australia to verify their ages as the country prepares to implement a landmark social media ban. This ban will prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from accessing platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram starting on December 10. The law threatens substantial fines for non-compliance, positioning it as one of the strictest regulations globally targeting social media use among minors, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

As part of the verification process, Snapchat is offering multiple options. Users can verify their ages through the ConnectID application, which links to their bank accounts and provides a simple "yes/no" signal regarding age eligibility without sharing sensitive personal information. Alternatively, users may upload government-issued identification or use the k-ID service to estimate their age through selfies, as reported by India Times and Al Jazeera.

Snapchat has stated that it strongly disagrees with its inclusion in the government's ban, emphasizing that the disconnection from social media may push teens toward less secure messaging platforms. The company has advised users to download their data before the ban takes effect, as this may become more complicated after the enforcement date, according to SCMP and India Times.

This significant shift in regulation comes amid mounting global concerns regarding the impact of social media on youth, with various countries observing Australia's example closely. Other nations, including New Zealand and Malaysia, are considering similar age restrictions amid fears surrounding online safety and mental health for children, observed by Al Jazeera and India Times.