Australia Teen Social Media Ban Removes 4.7 Million Accounts

Intermediate | January 21, 2026

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Why the Australia teen social media ban matters

The headline number: 4.7 million accounts

Australia has started enforcing a world-first rule often described as the Australia teen social media ban, which stops children under 16 from having accounts on major social platforms. In new compliance data released in mid-January, Australia’s eSafety regulator said platforms had removed about 4.7 million under-16 accounts since the law went live on December 10, 2025. (Reuters)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the early results proof the policy is working, saying it’s “world leading” and now being watched—and copied—by other countries. (Reuters)

What the rule actually requires

“It’s not a ban, it’s a delay”

Australia’s eSafety office explains it this way: it’s not a punishment for kids, it’s a delay to having accounts. In other words, the responsibility is on the platforms, not on families. There are no penalties for under-16s or their parents, but platforms can face major fines if they don’t take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage accounts. (eSafety Commissioner)

The fine is huge

If a platform fails to comply, it can face penalties of up to A$49.5 million. (Reuters; eSafety Commissioner)

Which platforms are covered

The “big 10” list

According to Reuters, the rule applies to major platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and Reddit, along with Meta’s services like Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. (Reuters)

AP also reported the broader platform list includes Twitch and Kick, and noted that messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are exempt. (AP News)

What’s working—and what’s still messy

Platforms are taking action (fast)

The 4.7 million figure surprised many observers. Reuters said it works out to more than two accounts per child aged 10 to 16, based on population data. Meta alone said it removed roughly 550,000 underage accounts from Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. (Reuters)

Loopholes, pushback, and a court challenge

Even with a big number, the regulator warned it’s too early to declare “full compliance.” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said some underage accounts still exist, and she compared the situation to speed limits—rules don’t eliminate every violation. (Reuters)

Reuters also reported Reddit is suing the government while saying it is complying. And while smaller apps saw download spikes before launch, the regulator said those spikes did not become sustained usage. (Reuters)

What this means for students and parents

The real business question: enforcement vs. privacy

This story is a great English practice topic because it includes real-world business and policy language: compliance, penalties, regulators, and enforcement—and because the Australia teen social media ban is becoming a global reference point for how governments regulate big platforms. It also raises a modern tension: if platforms must verify age, how do they do it without collecting too much personal data? AP reported platforms may use ID checks, third-party age estimation, or signals from account data. (AP News)

Vocabulary

compliance (noun) – following a rule or law.
Example: “The platforms showed early compliance by removing millions of accounts.”
regulator (noun) – an official agency that enforces rules.
Example: “The regulator released the first compliance data.”
enforce (verb) – to make sure rules are followed.
Example: “Australia began to enforce the new age rule in December.”
penalty (noun) – a punishment, often a fine.
Example: “Companies face a penalty if they ignore the law.”
reasonable steps (phrase) – practical actions that make sense.
Example: “Platforms must take reasonable steps to stop underage accounts.”
exempt (adjective) – not required to follow a rule.
Example: “Some messaging apps are exempt from the restriction.”
circumvent (verb) – to get around a rule.
Example: “Some teens try to circumvent age checks.”
liability (noun) – legal responsibility.
Example: “The law puts liability on platforms, not parents.”
sustained (adjective) – continuing for a long time.
Example: “Download spikes did not become sustained usage.”
scrutiny (noun) – close attention and checking.
Example: “The policy is under global scrutiny.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What does the 4.7 million account number tell you about teen social media use in Australia?
Why did the government choose to punish platforms instead of families?
What does “reasonable steps” mean in practice?
What concerns did the regulator raise about full compliance?
Why might other countries be interested in copying this policy?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Do you think a minimum age for social media accounts is a good idea? Why or why not?
What’s the best way to verify age online without harming privacy?
If kids can bypass the rules, does the rule still help? Explain.
What responsibilities should parents have, even if the law targets platforms?
How should governments measure success—account removals, mental health data, or something else?

Related Idiom / Phrase

“The devil is in the details” — the plan sounds good, but the hard part is making it work.

Example: “The Australia teen social media ban looks strong on paper, but the devil is in the details—especially age verification.”

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This article was inspired by: Reuters, the eSafety Commissioner, AP News, and The Guardian.