Social media platforms have collectively disabled nearly five million accounts owned by Australian minors just a month after the implementation of a pioneering ban on under-16 users, as confirmed by the country’s internet regulator on Friday. The eSafety Commissioner revealed that approximately 4.7 million accounts held by individuals under 16 had been removed by platforms to comply with the law enacted on December 10.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed satisfaction with the ban’s effectiveness during a news briefing, describing it as a source of national pride. He highlighted that the legislation, considered world-leading, is now serving as a model for other countries worldwide.
The enforcement of the ban is being closely monitored by regulators globally, with countries such as France, Malaysia, and Indonesia planning to introduce similar regulations. Discussions are also underway in some European nations and U.S. states to potentially follow Australia’s lead.
The latest government data on compliance indicates that platforms are taking substantial measures to adhere to the law, which includes potential fines of up to $46 million for non-compliance, without holding children or their parents accountable. The reported figure surpasses pre-law estimates, translating to over two accounts per Australian aged 10 to 16 based on population statistics. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, had previously disclosed the removal of around 550,000 underage accounts.
The minimum age requirement is applicable to various platforms such as Google’s YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). While Reddit has indicated compliance, it is engaged in legal action against the government to challenge the ban, with the government committed to its defense.
Despite progress, some critics argue that enforcing the ban may pose challenges. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant acknowledged that some underage accounts are still active, emphasizing that complete compliance assessment is premature. She drew parallels to other safety regulations, noting that total adherence is not always achievable.
All companies initially under the ban’s scope have pledged compliance. Notably, smaller social media apps experienced a surge in downloads in Australia leading up to the ban’s enforcement in December. However, eSafety will continue to monitor migration patterns in usage trends. Additionally, a long-term study in collaboration with mental health experts will analyze the ban’s impact over the coming years.