Popular new app Lemon8 now banned for under 16s after teens flocked to the alternative platform

Lemon8, a hugely popular new social media app Australian teens were turning to as an alternative to Instagram, is now banned for under 16s.

Downloads of the platform, owned by ByteDance along with TikTok, soared in recent weeks as teens sought to get around the social media ban, which came into effect on Wednesday.

Lemon8 was not on the list of banned platforms, which includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, but The West Australian understands the app has opted to comply with the new laws.

As a result, teenagers under 16 can no longer hold a Lemon8 account.

The Federal Government had urged social media giants not covered by the ban to self assess to see if they met the restrictions.

It is understood ByteDance carried out this process.

The news will be a disappointment for teens hoping to use it as an alternative to Instagram.

ESafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant described Lemon8 as an “Instagram clone” last week.

As of Wednesday morning, alternative apps Yope and Coverstar, which have also soared in popularity, were not covered by the ban.

The three apps topped the lifestyle app download charts in Australia for the past three weeks.