How to bypass Twitter(X) age verification in Australia
No AI-generated content: this article is written and researched by humans
Table of contents
Short summary:

As of March 9, 2026, Australia will officially enforce the Online Safety Amendment Act 2024, which sets a minimum age of 16 for all social media users. However, the only way to access X (Twitter) is by using a VPN that connects you to a country where the site is available.

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Is it possible to get around Twitter’s (X) age verification in Australia?

Yes, it is possible to get around Twitter’s (X) age verification in Australia with a robust VPN. A VPN encrypts your traffic and changes your real IP address. By connecting to a VPN server in a country without strict age verification laws (like Ireland or Poland), you will be assigned a new IP address from that specific region. This way, you’ll trick X into thinking you’re in a different country, which will then grant you access to the platform without ID or age verification. 

Using a VPN for Twitter is not prohibited, as its primary purpose is online privacy. The law also doesn’t aim to punish Australians under the age of 16, as the entire responsibility lies with the platforms themselves.

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How to bypass Twitter (X) age restrictions in Australia with a VPN

By using a VPN, you can appear as if you are in a different country, one with less stringent age verification laws, such as Ireland, Poland, or Belgium. This way, your IP address will change, and X (Twitter) will no longer require age verification.

Here’s how to bypass Twitter (X) age verification in Australia with a VPN
  1. Choose a reliable VPN provider. For the best experience, I recommend Proton VPN, which is now available at 70% off. Proton VPN guarantees total anonymity online and offers servers in 148 countries.
  2. Download and install the VPN app. Usually, VPNs are available on various devices, including mobile phones, computers, and tablets.
  3. Connect to a VPN server in a country where X’s age verification is not required. I recommend using servers in Poland, Ireland, or Belgium.
  4. Change the country in your X (Twitter) account. To do so, go to the app’s Settings & Privacy, select Your Account, then tap Account information, where you can update the country.
  5. Change content settings. To see all content without restrictions, go to settings, then Privacy & Safety, select Content you see, and enable the Display media that may contain sensitive content option.
  6. Restart Twitter (X). Reload Twitter, and you should be able to view all content privately without any restrictions.
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How does Twitter (X) age verification work?

To comply with the Australian under-16 social media ban, X and other social media platforms must implement strict age verification procedures. X (formerly Twitter) uses complex, privacy-focused methods for age verification. The platform first evaluates the information available on your account and then checks for additional details if needed. Here are the key things that X checks to verify users’ age:

  • Self-attested birthday date. The first step X follows to determine whether the user is over 16 is to check the user’s profile for the birthday date. 
  • Account creation date. If the account was created in 2012 or earlier, X considers it to be an adult user account.
  • Previous ID verification. If you have a Premium account and have previously verified your identity, X will use the information you provided to avoid further verification.
  • Verified accounts. Users who have verified their accounts with a grey (government/public-sector) or gold (organizations) badge will most likely be excluded from the age verification process.

If these steps do not help X determine the user’s age, it will most likely proceed with external age verification. This means that to verify your age, you will need to provide a government-issued ID or a selfie, which third-party services will analyze. 

What happens to your Twitter account if you’re under 16?

If you’re under 16 years old, your Twitter (X) account is now at risk of being deactivated, as Australia’s age verification law officially comes into effect on March 9, 2026. From now on, X must verify that every user is at least 16 years old. To keep using your account, you’ll be required to provide a government-issued ID or take a selfie for facial analysis.

Accounts that refuse or fail age verification may be restricted, locked, or permanently removed from the platform.

Currently, the global X’s policy states that users must be at least 13 years old to create an account. While they can create an account, accounts of 13-17-year-olds are automatically restricted, and their posts can only be seen by approved followers and do not appear in search results. However, this will change: anyone under 16 will no longer be able to use Twitter in Australia. If Twitter doesn’t comply with the new legislation, it might face significant fines. However, it is essential to note that users under 16 or their parents will not be fined if they continue using the service, as the age verification procedure is the service’s responsibility. 

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I’m over 16, but Twitter says I’m under – how to appeal

If you’re over 16 but Twitter (X) still identified you as being under the age limit, you will need to appeal the age lock. To do so, log in to your account and search for an appeal page option. When filling out the appeal, you will need to provide some information, including a valid personal identification document. To proceed with the appeal, simply follow the on-screen instructions and wait for a response from Twitter.

How to verify your age on Twitter
  1. Log in to your account.
  2. Find the appeal page option. Look for the “Appeal suspended account” option or a similar option.
  3. Provided details. Fill in the form with the needed information, including the reason for the appeal.
  4. Provide an ID. To verify your actual age, you will need to provide an official document, such as a driver’s license.
  5. Wait for an answer from Twitter. Once the appeal is analyzed, Twitter will email you the decision.

What is Australia’s social media ban?

Due to the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, age verification laws are now being implemented in Australia. To protect minors online, the legislation requires social media sites to ensure that all users are at least 16 years old. The Act modifies the Online Safety Act by placing legal obligations on platforms rather than users. Social media platforms must implement reliable age verification procedures by March 9, 2026.

Twitter (X) is not the only social media platform affected by the new laws. According to eSafety, other sites that will be restricted with age verification procedures include Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, and Kick. Even more sites can face the exact requirements, as the minister has the right to adjust the list.

To protect minors online, social media sites must implement strict age verification procedures. Failing to comply with the new laws will result in significant fines of up to A$49.5 million. However, the entire responsibility falls on the platform, and users under 16 or their parents will not incur any fines. ESafety will monitor the process, and after two years, the law will be reviewed again.

While protecting minors online is essential, providing sensitive information online might lead to serious risks, such as data breaches or even identity theft. To avoid such risks, the only way is to use a VPN to access Twitter from Australia. A VPN will help you prevent verification ID, allowing you to use the service privately. 

Bypass X age verification in Australia with Proton VPN

I tested over 20 providers and found Proton VPN, TotalVPN, and IPVanish to be the most effective VPNs for bypassing Twitter age verification in Australia. Proton VPN focuses heavily on privacy and offers over 20300 servers worldwide, which means that you’ll be able to access X in Australia privately with no issues. TotalVPN is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a simple and affordable VPN alternative, but it may not be as fast as other providers. Lastly, IPVanish is a solid choice, as it delivers reliable speeds, stable connections, and all the necessary security measures to help bypass Twitter’s age verification in Australia. Overall, Proton VPN proved to be the best VPN to avoid the Australian under-16 social media ban in 2025.

Yes, using a VPN to access X without providing sensitive information in Australia is legal, as there are no laws in the country that would prohibit the use of VPNs for security reasons. The primary purpose of a VPN is to ensure online privacy, as it encrypts users’ traffic and changes their IP address. Additionally, Twitter’s policy doesn’t prohibit the use of VPNs on its services. However, it is essential to note that your account may be suspended if you exhibit suspicious behavior, such as frequently changing your IP address from different locations.

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Final thoughts

Australia’s new age verification law will officially take effect on March 9, 2026, and social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have already begun enforcing it. From now on, users must prove they are at least 16 years old by submitting a government-issued ID or taking a selfie for facial analysis. However, sharing such sensitive information online carries serious privacy risks, including the potential for data leaks. The only practical way to avoid handing over your personal documents while still accessing X is by using a reliable VPN service.

A VPN changes your IP address, which tricks Twitter into thinking you’re located in a different country. After testing over 20 providers, I found that Proton VPN is the best VPN for bypassing Twitter’s age verification in 2025. Proton VPN offers servers in 148 countries, which will guarantee access to X privately. Additionally, it’s a secure provider that utilizes all necessary security measures and provides additional features for complete anonymity.

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Twitter age verification FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
Are there privacy risks when verifying my age on Twitter (X)?

Yes, there are privacy risks when verifying your age on Twitter (X). Providing sensitive information online, such as government-issued ID or selfies for facial scans, can lead to serious data breaches. While this data should be deleted as soon as your age is verified, there is still a possibility that your personal details may be exposed or misused.

What happens if I enter the wrong age on Twitter (X)?

If you enter the wrong age on Twitter (X), your account may be restrictions or even removed. As of March 9, 2026, only users aged 16 years or older will be able to use X. If you entered your age incorrectly and it’s under 16, your account may be removed.

How to verify age on X without Premium?

To verify your age on X without Premium, add your birthday date to your profile. If your age cannot be determined on your profile or if X requires additional verification, you will need to provide a personal ID or a selfie to verify your age. This information will be analyzed by third-party services, which will determine your age.

Will using a VPN put my Twitter account at risk?

No, using a VPN will not put your Twitter account at risk. A VPN’s primary purpose is to provide online security, which means it safeguards your online privacy. However, unlike other social media sites, Twitter doesn’t prohibit VPN use for security reasons.

Erica Greenwood

Erica Greenwood

Tech Journalist

Erica is a seasoned tech journalist with a lot of experience in the privacy and cybersecurity field. She has a passion for getting to the bottom of cybersecurity news and sharing it with others.

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