Social media platforms removed about 4.7 million accounts after Australia's under-16 ban

Australian officials say 10 social media platforms reported revoking access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children after a December ban on users under 16; regulators say the largest companies complied and submitted removal figures on time.

Australian officials reported that about 4.7 million social media accounts identified as belonging to children were deactivated or restricted after a December law barred users under 16 from many platforms. The figure was reported to the government by 10 companies covered by the ban. The law was enacted amid concerns about young people’s exposure to harmful online environments and followed public debate over privacy, child safety and mental health. Some groups opposed the ban on the grounds it might cut off vulnerable young people who find support online. Key reported facts: - About 4.7 million accounts were reported as deactivated or restricted by the 10 covered platforms. - Platforms named as covered include Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are exempt. - Companies face fines up to 49.5 million Australian dollars if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove accounts of users under 16. - Meta reported it had removed nearly 550,000 accounts by the day after the ban took effect. - The eSafety Commissioner said about 2.5 million Australians are aged 8 to 15 and cited earlier estimates that 84% of 8- to 12-year-olds had social media accounts. - Officials said some young people reported finding ways to fool age checks or were helped to circumvent the ban, and downloads of alternative apps spiked briefly when the law began. Summary: Officials said the reported removals indicate the largest platforms complied with the new law and that companies are expected to shift attention toward preventing new accounts or circumvention. Reports of attempts to bypass age checks and a short-term rise in alternative app downloads were noted, while longer-term trends remain unclear. The eSafety regulator also announced plans to introduce AI companion and chatbot restrictions in March.