Australia Blocks Over 400,000 Snapchat Accounts Under New Social Media Ban for Minors
Australia is aggressively enforcing its groundbreaking legislation aimed at protecting children online,with snapchat confirming it has blocked 415,000 accounts belonging to users under the age of 16. The move, part of a broader crackdown on social media platforms, underscores the challenges of age verification and the growing global concern over the impact of social media on youth mental health.
The new law, which took effect on December 10, requires platforms like Snapchat, Meta, TikTok, and youtube to prevent access for underage users. Companies face substantial fines – up to Aus$49.5 million (US$34 million) – for failing to take “reasonable steps” to comply.
According to a report last month from Australia’s eSafety online regulator, tech giants have already blocked a total of 4.7 million accounts,signaling a meaningful initial impact. Snapchat stated it continues to disable accounts daily, having reached 415,000 blocked accounts as of the end of January.
Though, the platform cautioned that the legislation contains “significant gaps.” A company statement highlighted the limitations of current age estimation technology, which it says is only accurate to within two to three years. “In practice, this means some young people under 16 may be able to bypass protections, possibly leaving them with reduced safeguards, while others over 16 may incorrectly lose access,” the statement read.
Snapchat has joined Meta, led by billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, in urging Australian authorities to mandate age verification checks by app stores before allowing downloads. “Creating a centralised verification system at the app-store level would allow for more consistent protection and higher barriers to circumventing the law,” Snapchat argued.
Despite supporting the intent of the law, Snapchat expressed reservations about an outright ban, notably for its platform. “In the case of Snapchat – which is primarily a messaging app used by young people to stay connected with close friends and family – we do not believe that cutting teens off from these relationships makes them safer, happier, or otherwise better off,” a company spokesperson stated.
Australia’s pioneering ban is attracting international attention, with both Britain and France now considering similar age-based restrictions. France’s National Assembly approved legislation on January 26 to ban children under 15 from social media, citing concerns about online bullying and mental health risks. The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the French Senate.
This global movement reflects a growing recognition of the need to address the potential harms of social media on young people, even as the practical challenges of implementation remain significant.
Why: Australia enacted legislation to protect children from potential harms associated with social media, including mental health risks and online bullying.
Who: The legislation impacts social media platforms like Snapchat, Meta (Facebook & Instagram), TikTok, and YouTube, as well as their users, particularly those under 16.Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is responsible for enforcement.
what: The law requires these platforms to prevent access for users under 16, with potential fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$34 million) for non-compliance.
how did it end?: As of the end of January, Snapchat alone had blocked 415,000 accounts, contributing to a total of 4.7 million blocked accounts across major platforms.While the law is in effect,challenges remain regarding the accuracy of age verification technology and potential circumvention by users. The law is also inspiring similar legislation in other countries, like France and the UK.
