Australia’s online safety regulator has revealed that social media platforms have blocked 4.7 million accounts under the country’s world-first law banning under-16s from holding social media accounts. The legislation came into effect on December 10, 2025, requiring major platforms including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to prevent underage users from joining.
Early figures suggest platforms are taking meaningful steps to remove underage users, said eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. “It is clear that eSafety’s regulatory guidance and engagement with platforms is already delivering significant outcomes,” she said.
Platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply with the law face fines of up to Aus$49.5 million, or roughly US$33 million. Meta reported removing 331,000 Instagram accounts, 173,000 Facebook accounts, and 40,000 Threads accounts from under-16 users in the week leading to December 11. The company urged app stores to verify user ages and require parental consent before under-16s can download apps, warning that without this, teens may move to new platforms to bypass the ban.
The eSafety Commissioner noted that age verification can take time, but platforms are expected to improve their methods. “It is also the responsibility of industry to prevent circumvention, as outlined in eSafety’s industry guidance,” Inman Grant said. She added that while some children may find creative ways to remain online, success should be measured by reducing harm and establishing safer norms.
Ahead of the ban, downloads of smaller platforms such as BlueSky and Lemon8 increased. Both companies confirmed they are covered by the legislation and are cooperating with the regulator. Inman Grant emphasised that given the fast-moving tech landscape, her office will focus on platforms with the highest number of Australian users.
The Australian social media age ban is being closely watched globally as the first large-scale attempt to enforce a minimum age requirement across major online platforms.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.
