Australia's pioneering social media law, enacted in December, has demonstrated early signs of success in curbing underage internet use, with ten major platforms removing millions of accounts belonging to users under 16. The initiative has reportedly led to fewer children in Australia using social media and is now influencing similar legislative efforts in over a dozen other countries, including Indonesia, Canada, Malaysia, the UAE, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Between December and June, the platforms—Facebook, Kick, Reddit, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and YouTube—ceased providing accounts to individuals under the age of 16. This action resulted in the removal of approximately 4.7 million under-16 accounts for an estimated 2.5 million Australian children aged eight to fifteen. While some children may maintain multiple accounts across different platforms, the substantial number of removals indicates that the law has prompted significant action from social media companies.
Experts and policymakers are viewing Australia's experience as a model, suggesting that other nations can learn from its approach to regulating social media access for minors. The smooth implementation and subsequent reduction in youth engagement are seen as encouraging trends that underscore the importance of Australia's policies in addressing the challenges of youth online.