Australia's Social Media Ban Removes 4.7M Under-16 Accounts

Australia's Landmark Social Media Ban Shows Early Results

In a groundbreaking move that's being watched by governments worldwide, Australia has removed or restricted access to approximately 4.7 million social media accounts belonging to children under 16 during the first month of its historic ban. The Australian eSafety Commissioner announced these preliminary results, marking the first major assessment of the world's strictest social media age restrictions.

Unprecedented Regulatory Action

The Australian law, which took effect on December 10, 2025, requires social media platforms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. The legislation covers ten major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Threads, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. Companies face penalties of up to A$49.5 million (approximately €30 million) for non-compliance.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated: 'These initial results show that major platforms are taking meaningful steps to prevent under-16s from holding accounts. While we know some accounts remain active and compliance is still being assessed, this represents significant progress.'

Global Ripple Effect

Australia's bold move has triggered a wave of similar proposals worldwide. Countries including Denmark, Norway, Greece, France, and Malaysia have announced plans to implement comparable restrictions, while the European Commission is considering continent-wide measures. The United Kingdom's Online Safety Act also mandates tougher age verification standards.

In the Netherlands, the situation reflects a growing European concern. A group of 1,400 doctors, scientists, and health experts signed an open letter in May 2025 urging politicians to implement legal age restrictions. The outgoing Dutch cabinet recommended social media and smartphone use only from age 15, though this remains guidance rather than law.

Mental Health Concerns Drive Policy

The Australian legislation was driven by mounting evidence about social media's impact on youth mental health. Research cited by the government shows that 96% of Australian children aged 10-15 use social media, with 70% exposed to harmful material. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized: 'We're taking this action to protect our children from the pressure, anxiety, and criminal activity that can accompany social media use.'

However, critics point to challenges. Opposition politicians note that some accounts have been reactivated, and age-verification tools can be bypassed. Privacy advocates express concerns about data collection through facial recognition and government ID verification methods being implemented by platforms.

Industry Response and Implementation Challenges

Social media companies have taken varied approaches to compliance. Meta reported blocking nearly 550,000 accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Platforms are using technologies including government ID verification, facial recognition, and age inference algorithms rather than relying on self-certification.

Industry groups have raised concerns about implementation difficulties and privacy risks. Some companies are considering legal challenges, arguing that the technology for reliable age verification isn't yet mature enough. Meanwhile, experts warn that determined teenagers may circumvent restrictions using VPNs or creating fake accounts.

Looking Ahead

The true impact of Australia's social media age restrictions will be measured over years, according to Commissioner Inman Grant. eSafety is conducting a longitudinal evaluation in collaboration with youth mental health experts to assess the policy's generational effects.

As other nations watch Australia's experiment unfold, the debate continues about balancing child protection with digital rights. With 4.7 million accounts already affected, Australia has taken a definitive step toward redefining children's relationship with social media in the digital age.