Credit: dole777 via Unsplash
Major social media platforms restricted access to about 4.7 million Australian accounts identified as belonging to children under 16 in early December, according to data released by the eSafety Commissioner.
The action followed the introduction of Australia’s social media minimum age obligation, which took effect on December 10 and covers Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, X and Reddit.
eSafety has shifted its focus from preparation to monitoring and enforcement, targeting platforms assessed as age-restricted with high under-16 usage.
The figures indicate large platforms have begun taking steps to prevent under-16s from holding accounts.
“I am very pleased with these preliminary results,” eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said.
“It is clear that eSafety’s regulatory guidance and engagement with platforms is already delivering significant outcomes."
eSafety said age assurance systems would take time to implement accurately and fairly, but platforms were expected to continuously improve their effectiveness and prevent circumvention.
Inman Grant said it was too early to determine whether platforms were fully compliant, noting reports that some under-16 accounts remain active.
“While some kids may find creative ways to stay on social media, it’s important to remember that just like other safety laws we have in society, success is measured by reduction in harm and in re-setting cultural norms,” she said.
“Speed limits for instance are not a failure because some people speed. Most would agree that roads are safer because of them.”
Inman Grant said early feedback from three large age assurance providers indicated Australia’s rollout had been relatively smooth, supported by public education ahead of the December 10 start date.
She said the long-term impact of the minimum age would take years to assess.
“We are still at the very beginning of this journey, and it is evident platforms are taking different approaches based on their individual circumstances,” Inman Grant said.
eSafety said platforms must self-assess whether they meet legislative criteria and take reasonable steps to comply.
Services including BlueSky and Lemon8 have assessed themselves as meeting the criteria and are working with the regulator.
eSafety will continue monitoring compliance and tracking user migration to other platforms. While downloads of alternative services have increased, the regulator said this has not translated into equivalent usage.
To protect investigations and enforcement processes, eSafety said it would not publish platform-specific compliance data.
Australia’s world-first social media minimum age bans children under 16 from holding accounts on age-restricted social media platforms, shifting responsibility for compliance from users to companies.
The law applies to services with significant under-16 usage and requires platforms to prevent account creation and remove existing accounts held by children.
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