Australia Removes 4.7M Under-16 Social Media Accounts

Australia just became the first country to ban social media for kids under 16, and the numbers coming in are turning heads worldwide.

Since the restrictions launched on December 10, social media platforms have deactivated, removed, or restricted more than 4.7 million accounts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the early data "encouraging," saying it shows companies are making real efforts to keep kids off their platforms.

Communications Minister Anika Wells went further, calling the account removals a "huge achievement." She acknowledged the government wasn't expecting perfection right away, but said the figures prove the law is making a meaningful difference.

The restrictions apply to major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat. Companies face hefty fines if they don't comply with the new rules designed to protect children from online risks.

The Ripple Effect

Australia's bold move has sparked conversations worldwide about how to balance children's safety with digital access. Over one million people have visited the eSafety Commissioner's website since the education campaign launched, showing Australians are actively seeking information about the changes.

Researchers point out the numbers need context. Timothy Koskie from the University of Sydney notes that many kids use multiple platforms, so 4.7 million deleted accounts doesn't necessarily mean 4.7 million children are offline. Some young people might have found workarounds or opened accounts under different names.

The eSafety Commissioner will continue monitoring platforms to ensure compliance. The government emphasized this is just the beginning of what they expect to be an ongoing process of protecting young Australians online.

Other countries are watching closely. Australia's pioneering approach could become a model for nations wrestling with similar questions about children's mental health and social media use.

Change takes time, but Australia is proving that protecting kids online is possible when governments decide to act.