Social media organizations have deactivated and restricted accounts for minors aged under 16 in Australia.
A total of 4.7 million accounts have been deactivated or restricted as social media organizations follow the new law.
It is the first response to the new law that has the world’s strictest age-based rules for social media.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 came into play on Dec. 10, 2025.
It requires social media platforms to keep children below the age of 16 from opening any account on such platforms.
According to reports, it tackles issues related to mental health issues triggered by social media platforms among children.
Platforms Adapt to New Rules
The actions taken by accounts happened in the first half of December 2025, as reported by data gathered from 10 main platforms by the eSafety Commissioner.
The main accounts involved include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick.
The companies relied on age data, technology, and verification.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, reported removing almost 550,000 accounts.
Others did not provide detailed figures but stated their continued submission to regulators.
Failure to comply results in fines as high as A$49.5 million. It is now the responsibility of tech companies, and there is also no fine for parents and children.
It is enforced by “reasonable steps,” such as face aging analysis and checking IDs, and alternatives must be provided by tech companies that must also erase the data.
Officials Praise Progress
Albanese describes this data as “encouraging.” “Change doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “But these early signs show it’s crucial that we’ve acted.”
According to reports, this data was shared by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.
“Meaningful actions,” however, is what Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety commissioner, finds behind these numbers.
Platforms have previously required kids to be at least 13 to join. However, children aged 8 to 12 have now been estimated to have accounts to the extent that 84% have been recorded.
The reason given by the state for imposing the restrictions is the reduction of excessive screen use and the consumption of algorithmic-driven ‘toxic’ content.
The number of Australian users in the age group of 8 to 15 years stands at around 2.5 million, so it appears that the affected number of multiple user accounts exceeds the total number of 4.7 million
Challenges and Pushback Emerge
Concerns are also raised by privacy campaigners, who warn of further data harvesting.
Critics, such as shadow communications spokesperson Melissa McIntosh, claim many under-13 accounts are still in operation.
Tech companies, such as Meta, say that complete bans send users to unregulated platforms that lack safety measures.
Others have used deceptive birthdays or VPNs to bypass the restrictions. Reddit has sued over this law because it restricts freedom of speech.
A U.K. study found no correlation between the usage of social media sites and the reduction of teens’ mental health, adding to the effectiveness discussions.
Some believe education and changes in the platform might be more effective.
Timeline of Key Events
It was passed in the Parliament on Nov. 29, 2024, because of the issues relating to the online safety of the youth in cyberspace.
The social media platforms started planning in May 2025 and the final regulations in December. Compliance data was released on Jan. 15, 2026.
Path Ahead for Enforcement
Regulators schedule audits and notices of non-compliance. Guidelines on reasonable steps to be taken are to be issued by eSafety.
Fines may begin if violations continue. Long-term research on effects on mental health is expected by 2027.
The impact is seen on those businesses that target young users. This trend is a model for other countries. France and U.S. states are considering such a limit.
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