Saturday, January 17, 2026- About one month after Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media use for people under 16, early results show major platforms are largely complying with the new law but challenges remain.
The ban, which took effect on December 10, 2025, requires companies like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Reddit, Twitch, Kick, and Threads to prevent underage users from accessing their services or face fines of up to A$49.5 million. Within weeks, technology companies deactivated or restricted around 4.7 million accounts believed to belong to under‑16 users, far exceeding government estimates and demonstrating the law’s immediate scale and impact.
The roll‑out has not been without friction. Meta alone reported shutting down more than half a million underage accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, while social‑media platforms continue refining age‑verification processes to stay compliant.
Officials and child‑safety advocates have welcomed these moves as significant steps toward shielding young people from online harms, including bullying, predatory behaviour, and harmful content. At the same time, critics including tech firms and privacy advocates — argue that the ban’s enforcement is imperfect and that age checks can be circumvented or improperly applied.
On the ground, some teenagers are already finding workarounds, such as using facial‑recognition tools that mistakenly verify under‑age users or shifting to less‑regulated alternatives. This has raised questions about the ban’s long‑term effectiveness and whether simply restricting access will tackle deeper issues around online safety.
As Australia’s high court prepares to hear a legal challenge and other nations watch closely, the coming months will be critical in determining whether this world‑first policy achieves its goals or prompts more nuanced approaches worldwide.
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