Australia Bans Under 16 from Social Media: 4.7 Million Accounts Deleted in Just One Month
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has announced impressive initial results from the implementation of the world’s first-ever ban on social media use by those under 16. The law came into effect on December 10, 2025, and within just one month, platforms had banned and removed nearly 4.7 million accounts belonging to teenagers under the age of 16.
Compliance Figures: Platforms Act Quickly
The commission confirmed that major platform operators (such as Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and others) began taking proactive measures before the deadline and then ramped up their bans and removals after the law came into force. Among the notable figures:
Meta previously announced the removal of approximately 550,000 accounts belonging to minors from Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
The official total of 4.7 million accounts far exceeds previous population estimates, reflecting the actual size of the teenage presence on these platforms before the ban.
It's worth noting that the law does not penalize children or their parents, but focuses solely on the platforms, with a potential fine of up to AU$49.5 million (approximately US$33 million) for each violation.
Reactions and Context
The regulator praised the companies' swift response, stating that the figures demonstrate a "serious commitment" from the platforms to the new law. At the same time, it emphasized that work is ongoing to ensure continued compliance, particularly as age verification technologies evolve.
This ban, the first of its kind globally, has sparked a broad international debate about the balance between protecting against digital risks (bullying, addiction, harmful content) and ensuring teenagers' internet access. Some countries, such as the UK and the EU, are considering similar models, while others believe the solution lies in improving internal platform controls rather than a blanket ban.
In conclusion, these figures provide strong evidence of the immediate impact of new legislation protecting children online. After just one month, millions of accounts were blocked and removed, indicating that platforms are capable of rapid compliance when faced with substantial financial penalties. The question remains, however, as to the long-term effectiveness of this model and whether it will be replicated in other countries.
