Australia Removes 4.7M Youth Social Media Accounts

Australia just proved that standing up to Big Tech is possible, and millions of kids are getting their childhoods back because of it.

Since December, when Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16, ten major platforms have removed or restricted 4.7 million accounts. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Threads, Kick, and Twitch all complied with the groundbreaking law.

"We stared down everybody who said it couldn't be done, some of the most powerful and rich companies in the world," Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters Friday. "Now Australian parents can be confident that their kids can have their childhoods back."

The numbers tell an encouraging story. About 2.5 million Australians are between ages 8 and 15, and past estimates showed 84% of 8 to 12 year olds held social media accounts. The 4.7 million removed accounts suggest the ban is working even better than expected.

Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, called the figures encouraging. She said social media companies are now shifting focus from removing existing accounts to preventing kids from creating new ones or finding workarounds.

The platforms verify age through several methods: requesting ID documents, using face scanning technology to estimate age, or making educated guesses based on account history. Companies that fail to comply face fines up to $33.2 million.

Meta alone removed nearly 550,000 accounts by the day after the ban took effect. The company publicly criticized the law but followed through anyway.

The Ripple Effect

Australia's bold move is inspiring change worldwide. Denmark announced plans in November to ban social media for children under 15. Other countries are watching closely as Australia demonstrates that protecting children from harmful online environments is achievable, not just idealistic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday that seeing the law work and spread globally "is something that is a source of Australian pride." The ban passed with overwhelming support from parents and child safety advocates who wanted kids protected from predatory algorithms and harmful content.

Some concerns remain about kids migrating to smaller, less monitored platforms. But Grant's office reports that while alternative app downloads spiked initially, actual usage hasn't shown the same pattern. The regulator plans to introduce new AI companion and chatbot restrictions in March.

Parents across Australia are breathing easier knowing their children can grow up without the pressure of performing for algorithms or exposure to content designed to keep them scrolling.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is also the right thing to do, and Australia just showed the world it's possible.