Social media giants have deactivated or restricted access to a staggering 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia, following the country's pioneering ban on platform use for under-16s. Officials revealed the figures, marking the first significant data since the law was enacted in December 2025.
A Landmark Policy in Action
Communications Minister Anika Wells declared the move a victory for Australian families, stating the government had "stared down" some of the world's most powerful corporations. The law, driven by concerns over harmful online environments and their impact on young people's mental health, requires platforms to take "reasonable steps" to remove accounts of Australian children under 16.
Ten major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Kick, Threads, and Twitch, reported the figures to the government. Failure to comply risks fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately $33.2 million). Messaging services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are exempt from the ban.
Enforcement and Evasion Challenges
To verify age, companies can request ID documents, use third-party facial age estimation technology, or infer age from existing account data. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant noted that while about 2.5 million Australians are aged 8-15, past estimates suggested 84% of 8-12-year-olds had social media accounts. The 4.7 million figure indicates many children held multiple accounts.
While the ten largest companies are compliant, concerns about circumvention persist. Opposition lawmakers claim young people easily bypass the ban or migrate to less-scrutinised apps. Commissioner Inman Grant acknowledged a spike in downloads of alternative apps when the ban started but not a corresponding surge in sustained usage.
Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, reported removing nearly 550,000 accounts belonging to suspected under-16s shortly after the ban took effect. In a blog post, Meta criticised the law, warning that smaller, exempt platforms might not prioritise safety and that algorithmic content browsing remains an issue.
Global Ripples and Future Steps
The controversial ban, popular with parents and child safety advocates but opposed by online privacy groups and some teen representatives, is now influencing global policy. Denmark's government has announced plans for a similar ban for under-15s. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the policy's success as a "source of Australian pride."
Looking ahead, the eSafety Commissioner's office plans to shift focus from enforcement to prevention, stopping children from creating new accounts. Furthermore, the regulator announced plans to introduce "world-leading AI companion and chatbot restrictions in March", though details remain undisclosed.
The debate continues to balance child protection with the benefits of online connection, especially for vulnerable or geographically isolated youth. However, the removal of millions of accounts signals a decisive step in Australia's aggressive approach to digital child safety.
