Social media platforms are once again in the global spotlight as sweeping new restrictions, government interventions, and ongoing security debates reshape the digital landscape for users, creators, and policymakers alike. From Nigeria’s sudden TikTok curfews to Australia’s unprecedented ban on under-16s and the United Kingdom’s delicate dance with the platform, the past week has revealed just how contested—and complicated—the future of social media has become.
In Nigeria, the popular video-sharing app TikTok abruptly limited access to its LIVE feature during late-night hours starting Sunday at midnight. According to an in-app notification received by users, the restriction is part of an ongoing safety investigation designed to protect the platform’s community. The move not only prevents Nigerians from hosting their own late-night livestreams but also blocks them from tuning in to similar broadcasts from other countries.
For many Nigerian content creators, the announcement sparked immediate anxiety. Livestreaming has become a crucial avenue for both income and digital exposure, particularly among the country’s youth. However, one of Nigeria’s most prominent TikTok stars, Habeeb Hamzat—better known as Peller—quickly pushed back against speculation that the new rules would devastate his finances or online relevance. In a video posted to Instagram on Monday, Peller dismissed the idea that he would suffer hardship, stating, “People are expecting me to be crying after TikTok banned live in Nigeria, thinking I’ll go hungry. I’m an ambassador to numerous brands, and none of my endorsements is less than ₦40 million.”
Peller emphasized that his main sources of income stem from long-term brand partnerships rather than livestream donations, and he pointed out that many gifts received during his live sessions are redistributed to fans through giveaways. While he acknowledged TikTok’s role in boosting his popularity, he argued that his digital presence extends far beyond a single platform. “Many people will grow on TikTok. You can’t grow on Instagram the same way,” he noted, highlighting the unique opportunities TikTok offers for rapid growth and visibility.
Still, Peller urged both TikTok and Nigerian authorities to consider the broader economic ramifications of such restrictions, noting that thousands of young Nigerians depend on livestreaming for their livelihoods. He also criticized those who previously advocated for limiting nighttime streams, arguing that many fail to grasp just how vital TikTok has become for emerging creators in the country.
As Nigeria grapples with the implications of platform-imposed restrictions, Australia is taking government regulation to an entirely new level. Beginning Wednesday, December 10, Australia will enforce a world-first ban prohibiting children under the age of 16 from holding accounts on a wide range of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Kick, and Threads. The move, driven by mounting concerns over online safety and child exploitation, compels tech companies to deactivate all existing under-16 accounts and block new sign-ups from this age group. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $49.5 million.
The ban’s reach is sweeping, but not absolute. Platforms like Roblox, Pinterest, YouTube Kids, Discord, WhatsApp, Lemon8, GitHub, LEGO Play, Steam, Google Classroom, Messenger, and LinkedIn are exempt, at least for now. The Australian government has signaled that the list of regulated platforms could expand if children migrate to alternative services after the ban’s implementation.
How will tech companies actually enforce the age restrictions? The answer varies. Snapchat, for instance, plans to use behavioral signals and self-reported birth dates to flag underage users, while TikTok says it will adopt a “multi-layered approach” combining technology and human moderation to detect teens who lied about their age. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has declined to disclose its specific methods, citing concerns that revealing details would help teens circumvent the ban. Other platforms, such as YouTube, will rely on the age associated with users’ Google accounts and other signals, while Kick will employ K-ID technology similar to Snapchat’s system.
Importantly, teens whose accounts are deactivated will not necessarily lose their digital memories. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube all offer options for users to download their photos, messages, and videos before deactivation. In some cases, accounts will be placed in a "frozen state," allowing users to reactivate them once they turn 16. For those over 16 who are mistakenly flagged as underage, appeals processes are available—ranging from facial age estimation via video selfie to government ID or credit card verification, depending on the platform.
Despite the ambitious scope of the law, the Australian government has cautioned against expecting immediate, flawless compliance. Julie Inman Grant, the country’s eSafety commissioner, told lawmakers, “We do not anticipate that all the under 16 accounts will automatically or magically disappear on December 10th overnight. Some platforms will do this more quickly and effectively than others. Some may take some time to replicate through their massive systems. We’ll be watching closely, but I also want to set expectations that we will take a graduated risk and outcomes-based approach to compliance and enforcement, focusing on platforms with the highest proportion of underage users.”
Not everyone is on board with the timeline. A parliamentary committee recently recommended delaying the ban until June 2026, but the government has shown no signs of backing down, even as a high court challenge looms on the grounds of freedom of political communication. Major platforms—including Meta, TikTok, Snap, YouTube, Twitch, and Kick—have all confirmed their intention to comply with the new rules.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, TikTok’s political role is also evolving. On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, launched a personal TikTok account, even though the app remains banned from government-issued devices due to longstanding security concerns about its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Downing Street was quick to clarify that “security mitigations” are in place for the Prime Minister’s account, just as they are for the existing UK Government TikTok profile. The initial 13-second post featured Sir Keir at the Downing Street Christmas lights ceremony, signaling an effort to reach younger and more diverse audiences.
Starmer’s spokesperson defended the move, saying, “We are intent on reaching audiences where they are and communication is changing and people have a right to know about the decisions the Government is taking that affect them and why and how that is. TikTok is simply another way to do that and reach that wider audience.” The government’s account, created in February, has been used to share public service messages and promote Labour’s "Plan for Change."
Yet, the security debate is far from settled. An opinion piece published on December 8 in The Washington Post by Matthew Pottinger and Craig Singleton argued that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, remains the "real puppet master" behind the platform, despite mounting calls for divestiture. The article underscored persistent concerns about data privacy and foreign influence, issues that have driven restrictions and outright bans in several countries.
From Nigeria’s safety-driven curfews to Australia’s sweeping child protection laws and the UK’s tightrope walk between outreach and security, the story of social media in 2025 is one of competing priorities and unresolved questions. As platforms, governments, and users navigate these shifting rules, the future of digital expression, economic opportunity, and online safety hangs in the balance.
