07/12/2025
Online Safety Briefing for Australian Adults
Staying Safe During the New Age-Verification Changes
⚠️ What’s Changing in Australia
•Australia has introduced new Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) rules requiring platforms to verify that users are over 16.
•Social media companies must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from signing up or logging in.
•You are not required to upload government ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport) to prove your age.
•Platforms must offer alternative, privacy-protective methods of verification — not just ID uploads.
These changes are intended to protect young people, but they also create new opportunities for scammers and misuse of personal data.
📌 Why All Adults Should Be Careful
•Uploading government ID to unverified websites increases the risk of identity theft, fraud, and misuse of personal information.
•Some platforms use third-party verification companies, making it harder to know who is storing or accessing your information.
•Scammers may impersonate social media platforms or government agencies, sending messages such as “Verify your age or your account will be deleted.”
•Fake verification websites and phishing links are likely to increase as scammers exploit the change.
✅ How to Stay Safe
1. Pause before uploading ID
You are within your rights to decline. Platforms must provide alternatives.
2. Only follow verification steps from the official website
Don’t click on links sent through SMS, email, or unexpected pop-ups.
3. Never send ID in response to unsolicited messages
No legitimate platform will suddenly demand your ID through a direct message.
4. Share only the minimum
If you choose to provide ID, avoid sharing extra pages or additional personal documents.
5. Use secure accounts
Enable:
•Strong, unique passwords
•Two-factor authentication
to protect your identity even if a breach occurs.
6. Scrutinise third-party age-verification services
Only proceed if the service is clearly authorised by the platform and has a transparent privacy policy.
7. Learn the warning signs of a scam
Urgency, threats of account removal, poor grammar, or unfamiliar web addresses are all red flags.
🎯 Why This Matters for Everyone
•These changes affect EVERYONE, not just parents or young people.
•Protecting government ID is crucial — once leaked, it can be used for years in identity fraud.
Awareness is your best defence: if something feels suspicious or unnecessary, stop and verify before you upload anything.
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