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Rollout triggers mixed reactions from parents as major platforms begin deleting underage accounts

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Australia on Wednesday rolled out a world-first ban preventing children under 16 from using major social media platforms, leading to millions of young users losing access to their accounts.

Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, Kick and Twitch have begun removing underage accounts and blocking new registrations. Platforms that fail to comply face penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million.

The rollout has seen teething troubles, with some under-16 users reportedly passing facial age-verification checks. Authorities say they never expected a flawless start.

All listed platforms except X confirmed compliance. Bluesky also introduced an under-16 ban despite being deemed low-risk.

Parents have expressed mixed reactions—some say their children are distraught at being locked out while peers continue using platforms after incorrect age verification, while others welcome the move as a way to curb social media addiction.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the law sends a “clear national message”, even if enforcement isn’t perfect.

The ban has drawn global attention, with Malaysia, Denmark, Norway and the EU considering similar steps. The UK government said it is closely watching Australia’s model.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner will now seek updates from platforms on account removals, attempts to bypass the ban, and the effectiveness of reporting and appeals systems. An independent academic review will assess both the benefits and unintended consequences, including whether children shift to riskier corners of the internet or learn to evade restrictions using VPNs.

Meanwhile, some Australian teens have been sharing phone numbers on Snapchat before losing access—prompting warnings from the platform against posting personal information publicly.