Which social media platforms were required to comply with Australia's under-16 ban?

The platforms include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, YouTube, Kick, Reddit, and Threads.

What methods can platforms use to verify user ages under the new law?

Platforms can use ID checks, third-party biometric age estimation such as facial scans or selfies, inference from account data, or bank verification like ConnectID.

What are the penalties for platforms that fail to comply?

Noncompliant platforms face fines up to A$49.5 million.

Are there penalties for children under 16 or their parents for having accounts?

No, there are no penalties for children under 16 who gain access or for their parents or carers.

What reactions have there been to the law's implementation?

Officials and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the outcome; parents and child-safety advocates approved, while privacy campaigners and some teenagers warned of lost support spaces.

4 sources

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1M ago

Australia Deactivates 4.7 Million Under-16 Social Media Accounts After Age Ban

Ten major platforms reported deactivating about 4.7 million accounts identified as Australian users under 16 after a December law imposing fines and age-verification requirements nationwide.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Australia's government said ten platforms removed or restricted roughly 4.7 million accounts of users believed under 16 in the month after the December ban took effect.

The law requires platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat and YouTube to verify ages or face fines up to A$49.5 million for noncompliance.

Platforms can verify age via ID checks, third-party biometric age estimation, or inference from account data such as account age; messaging apps like WhatsApp remain exempt.

Officials and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the outcome; parents and child-safety advocates largely approved while privacy campaigners and some teenagers warned of lost support spaces.

Regulators noted spikes in downloads of alternative apps but not in sustained usage; they plan continued enforcement and new AI companion and chatbot restrictions to limit circumvention.

Written using shared reports from

4 sources

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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources present this reporting as neutral: they emphasize child-safety rationales and regulatory details while noting industry pushback and privacy concerns. Coverage highlights official data and quotes from ministers and regulators, balances proponents (parents, child‑safety groups) with opponents (privacy advocates, teens), and avoids loaded editorial language or selective omission.

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Social media platforms removed 4.7 million accounts after Australia ban for children

ABC News•1M ago

Social media platforms removed 4.7 million accounts after Australia banned them for children younger than 16

PBS NewsHour•1M ago

Australia removes 4.7M kids from social media platforms in first month of historic ban

FOX News•1M ago

Australia Removes Nearly 5 Million Under-16 Social Media Accounts After Ban

Epoch Times•1M ago

FAQ

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: The platforms include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, YouTube, Kick, Reddit, and Threads.
Sources:
Tech Policy Press
: Platforms can use ID checks, third-party biometric age estimation such as facial scans or selfies, inference from account data, or bank verification like ConnectID.
Sources:
Snap Newsroom
: Noncompliant platforms face fines up to A$49.5 million.
Sources:
Australian Government Department of Infrastructure
: No, there are no penalties for children under 16 who gain access or for their parents or carers.
Sources:
Tech Policy Press
: Officials and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the outcome; parents and child-safety advocates approved, while privacy campaigners and some teenagers warned of lost support spaces.

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