Australia: 4.7 million social media accounts of under-16s blocked
For the past month, a social media ban for children and teens under 16 has been in effect in Australia. Now it's clear how many accounts have been blocked.
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To comply with the social media ban for children and adolescents under 16 years of age, the major social networks in Australia have blocked access to 4.7 million accounts. This was announced by the authority responsible for internet safety there, and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is very pleased. The figures indicated that the major platforms were taking meaningful steps to prevent under-16s from maintaining accounts. The number also highlights the reach of the measures. Just at the beginning of the week, Meta announced that a total of 550,000 user accounts were closed on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
Violations do not invalidate the law
Australia has about 27.5 million inhabitants, 5.3 million of whom are under 16 years old. According to an analysis presented a year ago, young people in particular have been active on social platforms, but only a minority of them had their accounts. Most, according to the analysis, used accounts belonging to their parents or guardians. Therefore, it is unclear how many children and adolescents have actually been locked out of the platforms by the measures. The authority also has no figures on this. Speed limits are not a mistake if not everyone adheres to them. What is important is the reduction in damage and a change in social norms.
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On December 10, the law, which was passed by parliament in November 2024, came into force in Australia, prohibiting adolescents under 16 years of age from accessing social networks. Australia is thus the first democracy in the world to introduce a minimum age of 16 for the use of some social networks. The new legislation primarily aims to protect children and adolescents from harmful content, bullying, cybergrooming, sexualized violence, and suicides related to online abuse. Ten platforms are affected by the ban for minors under 16 years of age: Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, and YouTube.
(mho)
