Australia Removes 4.7 Million Underage Accounts Following Historic Social Media Ban
SYDNEY, Australia — In a landmark move aimed at protecting young Australians from the potential harms of social media, the government announced that approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 have been deactivated since the implementation of a sweeping new ban in mid-December 2025. This unprecedented legislation requires major social media platforms to verify the ages of their users and block access to those who do not meet the minimum age requirement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heralded the early results as a significant victory in safeguarding youth online. “Today, we can announce that this is working,” Albanese said during a press conference. “This is a source of Australian pride. This was world-leading legislation, but it is now being followed up around the world.” The law mandates that ten of the largest social media companies, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), must take active measures to identify and remove accounts operated by children under 16.
The initiative comes amid growing global concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, privacy, and exposure to inappropriate content. Australia’s approach is one of the first of its kind to enforce strict age verification and account removal at such a scale. According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the regulatory body overseeing compliance, social media companies have cooperated extensively, resulting in the rapid removal of millions of underage accounts.
International observers are closely monitoring the Australian model, with several countries considering similar measures. The Federal Communications Commission in the United States has expressed interest in the outcomes of Australia’s legislation as it debates potential reforms to protect younger users on social platforms.
Social media platforms have faced increasing scrutiny over their role in exposing children to cyberbullying, misinformation, and addictive design features. The Australian law requires platforms to implement robust age verification systems that may include AI-driven identification tools and parental consent mechanisms. Failure to comply can result in significant fines and legal actions.
Experts from the Netsafe Foundation in New Zealand, a leading digital safety organization, have praised Australia’s decisive action, noting that it could set a new global standard for protecting children online. “This is a critical step forward in ensuring that children are not inadvertently exposed to the risks of social media before they are developmentally ready,” said a spokesperson.
While the law has been welcomed by many parents and child welfare advocates, some civil liberties groups have raised concerns about privacy implications and the challenges of verifying age without compromising user data security. The government has pledged ongoing oversight and collaboration with technology experts to address these issues.
As the ban continues to take effect, Australian officials remain committed to refining the legislation and encouraging other nations to adopt similar protections. The Australian Government website provides updates on the law’s progress and resources for parents and educators to support safe digital experiences for children.
This historic move marks a significant shift in how nations regulate digital spaces for youth, with Australia positioning itself at the forefront of child online safety in the 21st century.
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