Australia Removes 4.7 Million Underage Social Media Accounts

Australia Removes 4.7 Million Underage Social Media Accounts
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Australian authorities have disabled and removed about 4.7 million social media accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 within the first month of a nationwide ban, highlighting the scale of underage access to digital platforms. The action follows the implementation of new legislation aimed at restricting minors’ use of social networks.

The law, which came into force in early December, positions Australia as the first country to introduce sweeping limits on teenagers’ access to social media. Regulatory data show that enforcement efforts focused on major platforms, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok, Snapchat and X.

Officials said the large number of removed accounts reflects strict enforcement of age-verification requirements, an issue that has long posed technical and legal challenges for technology companies. Under the new framework, platforms face heavy financial penalties, potentially amounting to tens of millions of Australian dollars, for failing to identify and remove non-compliant accounts.

The government says the legislation aims to curb digital addiction, reduce online bullying and shield minors from harmful or exploitative content. Authorities also cite growing medical evidence linking excessive social media use at a young age to mental health risks, including anxiety and depression.

However, experts have raised concerns over possible unintended consequences. These include minors attempting to bypass restrictions using virtual private networks or false identities, as well as privacy risks tied to age-verification methods. Observers say the Australian approach is being closely watched internationally and could influence similar policies elsewhere.