Nearly five million online platform accounts belonging to Australian teenagers have been shut down within weeks of a landmark national ban on under sixteen users, according to new figures released by the country’s internet regulator.
The data marks the first official snapshot of compliance since the law took effect on December 10 and suggests companies moved quickly to enforce the restriction, which is the first of its kind worldwide.
The eSafety Commissioner said about 4.7 million accounts held by underage users had already been removed, a figure far higher than estimates shared before the law came into force.
The new rules apply to major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X and Reddit. Companies that fail to comply face penalties of up to forty nine point five million Australian dollars, while children and parents are not subject to fines.
The account removals amount to more than two accounts for every Australian aged ten to sixteen, based on national population data. Meta previously reported removing around five hundred and fifty thousand underage accounts across its services.
Several companies began closing affected accounts weeks ahead of the deadline, anticipating the enforcement requirements.
Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, said the early numbers showed the regulator’s approach was producing results.
She said it was clear that regulatory guidance and engagement with platforms were already delivering significant outcomes, while cautioning that it was too soon to declare full compliance.
Some underage accounts remain active, she added, and age checks will take time to fully settle as systems mature.
While all major platforms initially covered by the ban said they would comply, Reddit has taken legal action seeking to overturn the law. The Australian government has said it will defend the measure in court.
Read Also: Reddit Sues Australia Over Child Social Media Ban
Inman Grant said feedback from age assurance providers, often independent firms hired by platforms, indicated the rollout had been smooth. Public awareness campaigns ahead of the ban also helped reduce confusion among users and parents.
In the weeks leading up to the law’s launch, some smaller apps reported a spike in downloads in Australia. The regulator said it is tracking whether young users are migrating elsewhere but noted early download surges have not led to sustained use.
