Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s has led to the deactivation of around 4.7 million teen accounts within just one month, according to newly released government data. The figures, shared by the eSafety Commissioner, highlight the rapid and wide-ranging impact of the law, which came into force on December 10.
The ban requires major platforms to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts, with companies facing heavy fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for non-compliance. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the early results as a success, calling the legislation a source of national pride and saying it is already influencing policies in other countries.
The rule applies to major platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and X, while Reddit has confirmed compliance but is also challenging the law in court. Officials say the regulation places responsibility on tech companies, not on children or parents.
The number of removed accounts is significantly higher than earlier estimates and suggests many teenagers held multiple social media profiles. While authorities acknowledge that some underage accounts remain active, they stress that no safety law achieves total compliance immediately.
International attention on the Australian model continues to grow, with France, Malaysia, Indonesia, and several US states considering similar measures. Experts will now conduct a long-term mental health study to assess how the ban affects young people over the coming years, as regulators continue to monitor compliance and platform behavior.
