Select Language:
Social media platforms have collectively deactivated nearly five million accounts belonging to Australian teenagers just one month after implementing a historic ban on users under 16. According to the country’s internet regulator, about 4.7 million of these accounts were removed to comply with the new law, which went into effect on December 10.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced, “Today, we can confirm that this initiative is proving effective.” He praised the legislation as a pioneering move globally, adding, “This is a matter of national pride. This legislation was groundbreaking, and other countries are now following suit.”
International regulators are watching Australia’s approach closely. France, Malaysia, and Indonesia have indicated plans to introduce similar laws, while some European nations and US states are discussing adopting comparable measures. The provided statistics are the first official government data on compliance levels, showing significant strides in adherence. These efforts are vital as the law allows for fines of up to A$49.5 million ($33 million) for non-compliance, without placing liability on children or their parents.
The total number of deactivated accounts surpasses previous estimates and is roughly more than double the number of Australians aged 10 to 16, based on population data. Meta, the owner of Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, previously reported removing approximately 550,000 underage accounts. The ban applies to platforms like Google’s YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter). Reddit claims to be complying but is challenging the law in court. The government has stated it will defend its legislation.
Critics have raised concerns about enforcement difficulties. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant noted that some underage accounts are still active and emphasized that it’s premature to call the law fully effective. She compared compliance expectations to traffic laws, stating, “We don’t expect safety laws to eliminate every violation—just as speed limits don’t prevent all speeding, nor are all kids barred from alcohol.”
All initially targeted companies have committed to complying with the law. Meanwhile, some smaller social media apps saw a spike in downloads in Australia ahead of the law’s rollout, though initial surges have not translated into sustained activity, according to eSafety.
A long-term study involving mental health experts has been launched to monitor the impact of the ban over several years.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
