In preparation for a law that will prohibit Australians under 16 from having social media accounts, Apple is highlighting the App Store tools that developers can use to ensure their apps comply. Here are the details.
Australia’s social media ban for minors goes into effect on December 10
In less than two days, Australians under 16 won’t be allowed to have a social media account. This means that beginning December 10, existing accounts for users under 16 will need to be deactivated, and new ones can no longer be created.
In preparation for this change, Apple has published a post in its developer newsroom noting that while “impacted developers are responsible for making sure they follow the requirements of the new law,” it offers a series of tools to help them keep their apps compliant:
- Declared Age Range API: The new Declared Age Range API helps developers provide age-appropriate experiences for their users. Developers can choose to request the age range that is most relevant to their use case, such as an age range of under 16, and modify app behavior based on this information.
- App description on the App Store: When making an app available on the App Store, developers must include a description that helps users determine whether the app is appropriate for them. Developers can use this app description field to indicate information that may not be captured in other areas of the product page, such as social media age restrictions for people under a certain age.
- In-app controls on the App Store product page: This year, Apple updated the age ratings questionnaire that is required for all apps. The update included adding new questions about in-app controls, such as the presence of age assurance and parental controls. Apps using age assurance methods — such as the Declared Age Range API — to comply with the law and prevent users under 16 from creating accounts can indicate the presence of this capability on their App Store product page.
- Higher minimum age rating: With our recent update to age ratings, developers can set a higher age rating than the one generated by their responses to the age ratings questionnaire in App Store Connect. Developers can view the age rating for each of their apps and select a higher rating if they wish, in the App Information section in App Store Connect.
- Age Suitability URL: When updating an app’s age rating, developers have the option to include an Age Suitability URL that links to a developer-hosted website with details about the app and its age-related content. When enabled, this URL appears on the App Store product page under the age ratings details section. Developers can use this URL to provide region-specific information and requirements, such as the prohibition in Australia of people under 16 having a social media account.
To learn more about Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, follow this link.
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