Social Media Age Restrictions: Australia Deactivates 4.7 Million Underage Accounts
Australia has seen over 4.7 million social media accounts deactivated following the implementation of new laws prohibiting children under 16 from using platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed optimism about the early data provided by these platforms. The eSafety Commissioner is currently reviewing the data to ensure compliance with the ban. The deactivation of millions of accounts held by underage users has prompted regulators to closely monitor the situation and ensure that all platforms are adhering to the new age restrictions.
In the initial days of the ban, more than 4.7 million accounts were deactivated across various social media platforms. The eSafety Commissioner's preliminary analysis indicates that social media companies are actively working to prevent underage users from accessing their services. These companies were required to share data with eSafety as part of the new legislation introduced by the Albanese government. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has raised concerns about the age restrictions, arguing that they may isolate vulnerable teens from online support communities.
Despite Meta's objections, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commended social media companies for their efforts to comply with the new laws and keep underage users off their platforms. Communications Minister Anika Wells also praised the significant achievement of deactivating a large number of accounts at the start of the ban. While acknowledging that more work needs to be done, the government is encouraged by the early impact of the legislation in safeguarding young users online. Social media companies risk fines of up to $50 million if they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from accessing their platforms.
The new laws apply to a range of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and others. Platforms primarily focused on gaming, health, and education are exempt from the age restrictions. Social media companies have various methods to verify users' ages, such as government-issued ID, facial age estimation, or age inference. The implementation of these laws in Australia has garnered international attention, with other countries considering similar measures. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated openness to adopting age restrictions on social media, following discussions within the UK government about raising the "age of consent" for online platforms.