Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Leads to Removal of Nearly 5 Million Teen Accounts in First Month
GeokHub
Sydney | Jan 15, 2026 — GeokHub Social media platforms have shut down nearly five million accounts linked to Australian teenagers within the first month of a landmark national ban on users under the age of 16, according to the country’s online safety regulator.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner said platforms have so far deactivated about 4.7 million under-16 accounts following the law’s rollout on December 10, marking one of the fastest enforcement actions of its kind globally.
Early Data Shows Broad Compliance
The figures represent the first official compliance data released by the government and suggest major platforms are moving quickly to align with the new rules. Companies that fail to comply face penalties of up to A$49.5 million, though the law places no legal responsibility on children or their parents.
Regulators noted the number of removed accounts far exceeds earlier estimates and equates to more than two accounts for every Australian aged 10 to 16, based on national population data.
Major Platforms Affected
The age restriction applies to leading platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and Reddit. Meta previously disclosed that it had removed over half a million underage accounts across its platforms alone.
While most companies say they are complying, Reddit has challenged the law in court, arguing the ban should be overturned. The Australian government has said it will vigorously defend the legislation.
Regulator Says Full Enforcement Will Take Time
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the early results reflect strong engagement between regulators and tech companies but cautioned that some underage accounts remain active.
“Age-verification systems take time to fully embed,” she said, adding that feedback from third-party age-assurance providers suggests the rollout has been relatively smooth, helped by extensive public awareness campaigns ahead of the ban.
Monitoring Long-Term Impact on Youth
Regulators are also watching for shifts in teen behavior, including whether young users migrate to smaller or lesser-known platforms. While some apps saw a surge in downloads ahead of the ban, authorities say those spikes have not yet translated into sustained usage.
A long-term study involving mental health experts is now underway to assess how the policy affects young people’s wellbeing, online behavior, and digital safety over several years.
Australia’s move is being closely watched by governments worldwide as lawmakers debate how best to protect minors online without stifling digital participation.
