Social Media Platforms Restrict Millions of Under-16 Accounts Under New Age Laws

Major social media platforms have restricted access to approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children under the age of 16 across Australia, following the introduction of the nation’s social media minimum age requirements.

Initial figures gathered by the eSafety Commissioner indicate the removals occurred during the first half of December, shortly after the new age obligation came into effect on December 10. Since then, eSafety’s role has shifted from preparation to active monitoring and enforcement, with a focus on platforms assessed as age-restricted and known to have high under-16 usage.

The early data suggests major platforms are taking tangible steps to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts, marking a significant early response to the legislation. While some underage accounts may still remain active, eSafety has noted it is too soon to determine full compliance, emphasising that age assurance systems take time to implement accurately and fairly.

Industry has been reminded of its responsibility to continuously improve age verification processes and reduce opportunities for circumvention. Early feedback from several large age assurance providers has indicated Australia’s rollout has been relatively smooth, supported by strong public communication ahead of implementation.

The long-term impact of the minimum age requirement is expected to be measured over years rather than months, with broader cultural and behavioural shifts anticipated over time. To assess these outcomes, eSafety is undertaking an independent longitudinal evaluation in collaboration with youth mental health experts and academic advisers.

While downloads of alternative platforms have increased, early analysis suggests this has not resulted in equivalent long-term usage. eSafety will continue collecting data and monitoring compliance, prioritising platforms with the largest Australian user bases, while providing ongoing guidance, resources and advice to families and young people.