Australia Blocks 4.7 Million Underage Social Media Accounts in First Month of Ban

Australia implemented a world-first law on December 10 banning under-16s from social media platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to protect children from online harms. In the first month, platforms deactivated about 4.7 million underage accounts, exceeding initial estimates. The government enforces compliance with fines up to AUD 49.5 million for non-adherence. While early signs show significant platform cooperation, regulators acknowledge age verification challenges and ongoing efforts to prevent circumvention. Similar laws are being considered internationally.