Australia’s Under‑16 Social Media Ban Takes Hold
- Australia’s new age‑restriction law has led to the removal of nearly five million social media accounts belonging to users under 16.
- The figures show that major platforms are rapidly adjusting to the world‑first regulation.
- Authorities say the rollout has been smooth so far, though full compliance will take time.
Platforms Move Quickly to Enforce the Ban
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner reported that social media companies have deactivated about 4.7 million accounts held by under‑16s since the law took effect on December 10. Several platforms began removing accounts even before the deadline, anticipating strict enforcement and potential fines of up to A$49.5 million for non‑compliance. The number of removals is significantly higher than early estimates and equates to more than two accounts for every Australian aged 10 to 16. Meta alone previously confirmed it had taken down roughly 550,000 underage accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
The minimum‑age rule applies broadly to major platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and X. Reddit has stated that it is complying but has also filed a legal challenge seeking to overturn the ban. Government officials say they will defend the legislation in court. Commissioner Julie Inman Grant noted that early results show platforms are taking the new requirements seriously.
Compliance Still in Progress
Some underage accounts remain active, and regulators say it is too early to declare full compliance. All companies initially covered by the law have committed to following the rules, but effective age verification will take time to implement consistently. Age‑assurance providers—third‑party vendors that supply verification tools—have reported a smooth rollout supported by public education campaigns. Authorities expect the accuracy of age checks to improve as platforms refine their systems.
Smaller social media apps saw a spike in downloads in the weeks leading up to the ban, suggesting some users may have been seeking alternatives. eSafety officials said they are monitoring these “migration trends” to understand whether young users are shifting to less regulated platforms. Early data indicates that the surge in downloads did not translate into sustained engagement. Regulators plan to continue tracking usage patterns as the policy matures.
Long‑Term Impact Under Study
The Australian government has launched a multi‑year study with mental health experts to evaluate the long‑term effects of the ban. Researchers will examine how reduced access to social media influences wellbeing, online behavior, and digital literacy among young people. The findings may help shape future policy decisions as other countries consider similar age‑based restrictions. Australia’s approach is being closely watched internationally due to its scale and strict enforcement mechanisms.
The eSafety Commissioner emphasized that the goal is not to penalize children or parents but to reduce exposure to harmful online content. Regulators believe that stronger age controls can create safer digital environments for younger users. Ongoing collaboration with platforms will be essential to maintaining compliance as technology and user behavior evolve.
Australia’s move comes amid a global debate over youth safety online. Interestingly, several European countries are exploring age‑verification frameworks of their own, though none have implemented a ban as sweeping as Australia’s. The rapid removal of millions of accounts highlights how widely underage users had been accessing social platforms despite existing age policies.
