Australia Blocks 4.7M Underage Social Media Accounts

Australia just proved that protecting kids online is possible, and the numbers are already impressive.

Since December 10, tech companies have blocked 4.7 million accounts belonging to users under 16 across major platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. The removal follows Australia's pioneering law requiring social media sites to keep underage users off their platforms or face fines up to $33 million.

Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, says the early results show platforms are taking the law seriously. Meta alone removed 331,000 Instagram accounts, 173,000 Facebook accounts, and 40,000 Threads accounts in just the first week after the law took effect.

The legislation marks a cultural shift in how we think about children and technology. Australia became the first country to set a nationwide minimum age for social media, creating a model other nations are watching closely.

Companies are still figuring out the best ways to verify ages accurately, and some teens will inevitably find workarounds. Meta has called for app stores to handle age verification before downloads happen, arguing this approach would prevent kids from simply jumping to new platforms.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about removing accounts. Australia is resetting expectations for what responsible tech looks like and proving that regulation can drive real change without waiting for companies to act voluntarily.

The law recognizes that safety measures work through harm reduction, not perfection. Downloads of lesser-known platforms like BlueSky and Lemon8 did surge before the ban, but both companies are now cooperating with Australian regulators to comply.

The eSafety Commissioner plans to focus enforcement on platforms with the most Australian users while continuing to monitor emerging apps. As the tech landscape evolves, Australia's approach offers a template for balancing innovation with protection.

Millions of young people now have a chance to grow up without the documented harms of early social media exposure, from anxiety and depression to cyberbullying and sleep disruption.

The message is clear: when governments set firm boundaries for child safety, tech giants respond.