Nearly five million social media accounts belonging to Australian teenagers under 16 have been deactivated since the world's first underage ban took effect last month, according to data released by the country's eSafety Commissioner on Friday. The sweeping measure, which went live on December 10, 2025, has drawn global attention as regulators from France to Malaysia consider similar laws.
Compliance and Global Implications
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the results as "a source of Australian pride," noting that platforms removed 4.7 million accounts to avoid fines of up to A$49.5 million ($33 million). Meta alone disabled 550,000 underage accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, while Google's YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) also complied. Reddit, however, is challenging the ban in court.
Enforcement Challenges and Next Steps
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant cautioned that some underage accounts remain active, comparing enforcement challenges to persistent speeding violations. "We don't expect safety laws to eliminate every single breach," she said. Meanwhile, smaller platforms reported temporary spikes in Australian downloads ahead of the ban, though sustained usage remains low.
A multiyear study with mental health experts will assess the ban's long-term impacts, as countries like Indonesia and U.S. states weigh comparable regulations.
