Nearly five million social media accounts belonging to Australian teenagers have been deactivated just a month after the country implemented a world-first ban on under-16s, the nation's internet regulator reported, signaling a swift and extensive impact.
According to the eSafety Commissioner, platforms have removed approximately 4.7 million accounts to comply with the law, which came into effect on Dec. 10, 2025.
Some companies had begun closing affected accounts in the weeks leading up to the deadline.
The figures, the first official government data on compliance, indicate that social media companies are taking substantial steps to follow a law that carries fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance, though neither children nor their parents face penalties.
The number of deactivated accounts far exceeds pre-law estimates, representing more than two accounts for every Australian aged 10 to 16. Meta reported removing roughly 550,000 accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
The minimum age requirement also affects Google's YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter), while Reddit has complied but is challenging the ban in court.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the rollout was already producing significant results, though some underage accounts remain active and full compliance is not yet confirmed.
Age verification processes, largely handled by third-party providers, have reportedly run smoothly, aided by public education campaigns before the law took effect.