Australia's pioneering social media ban for users under the age of 16 has resulted in more than 4.7 million accounts being deactivated in its first month of operation. The federal government has hailed the controversial crackdown as a resounding success, though critics and the platforms themselves are questioning the official figures.
Government Declares Victory in Landmark Policy
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the milestone, marking one month since the ban came into effect. The initial phase saw approximately 1.2 million teenagers removed from major platforms, with many found to be operating multiple accounts.
"Today we can announce that this is working," Albanese stated, asserting that the ten social media companies targeted by the ban are complying with the federal government's directive. The policy is designed to shield young Australians from potential online harms.
Echoing the Prime Minister's sentiment, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasised the protective goal of the legislation. "We're preventing predatory social media companies from accessing our children," she said.
Questions Emerge Over the 4.7 Million Figure
Despite the government's confident proclamation, the source and composition of the 4.7 million accounts figure have come under scrutiny. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reported removing around 500,000 accounts from its platforms in compliance with the law.
This discrepancy has led to inquiries about the origin of the remaining four million accounts cited by the government. 7NEWS understands that the official tally includes a significant number of inactive or deleted Google accounts, including those that never accessed platforms like YouTube.
"You are going to see the government saying one thing and then maybe teens saying another and the platform saying a third thing," noted Stephen Scheeler, former CEO of Facebook Australia.
Calls for Transparency and On-the-Ground Reality
Shadow communications minister Melissa McIntosh highlighted the need for clarity. "It's around the details here that's really important. Details matter on such an important policy," she said, adding that it is crucial to know how many new accounts have been created by teens during the same period.
The eSafety Commissioner has declined to publicly detail the methodology behind the government's headline number. Meanwhile, anecdotal evidence suggests some teenagers have found ways to remain connected.
"I got Instagram left. I live out of town so it's hard for me to make plans if I don't have it," one teenager revealed. Another simply stated, "I didn't get banned on any."
The world-first policy continues to generate fierce debate, balancing the government's duty of care with practical enforcement and the digital realities of teenage life in Australia.
