Over 4.7 million accounts belonging to children under 16 were deactivated in the initial days of Australia’s groundbreaking social media ban. The government’s eSafety commissioner disclosed that social media platforms blocked access to approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as owned by minors following the ban’s enforcement on December 10. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commended social media companies for their significant efforts to adhere to the ban, emphasizing the importance of this regulatory change.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant expressed satisfaction with the early outcomes while acknowledging reports of some underage accounts still being active. Grant highlighted that despite potential ways for children to bypass the restrictions, the ultimate success lies in reducing harm and reshaping societal norms, akin to other safety regulations. The government did not specify the exact number of accounts deactivated by each of the 10 platforms subject to the ban, including Meta’s platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Meta recently announced the deactivation of over 544,000 accounts across its platforms by December 11. Enforced through legislation passed in 2024, social media companies failing to enforce the ban adequately risk fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. The ban, which prohibits under-16s from having accounts on major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X, aims to safeguard young users from potential online risks and pressures.
In a video message to students nationwide, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting children navigating the challenges posed by algorithms and constant social media exposure. The ban represents a proactive step towards protecting young users and fostering a safer online environment for Australia’s youth.
