More than 4.7 million social media accounts identified as belonging to Australians under 16 were removed or restricted soon after the federal minimum age rules began that giving the clearest early sign yet of how quickly platforms are moving to comply.
The eSafety Commissioner said initial figures show the removals happened in the first half of December after the obligation took effect on 10 December 2025.
Government briefings reported much of the deactivation surge came in the opening days including across major apps used by teenagers.
Under the scheme, age restricted platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent under 16s from creating or keeping accounts with penalties for companies that can reach $49.5 million.
The framework places the onus on platforms rather than parents or young people and is backed by separate privacy protections aimed at limiting how any age assurance information can be used.
The obligation applies to services including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick, with exemptions for services that are primarily messaging or calling, online games or product information tools under the rules made by the communications minister.
eSafety has also signalled it can broaden its compliance focus as platforms self assess whether they meet the legislative criteria.
Anthony Albanese, the prime minister, cited the preliminary findings as proof that the policy is changing behaviour.
“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” stated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the initial data suggests major platforms are taking meaningful action while warning it was too early to declare full compliance because some underage accounts remain active.
Meta has said it removed hundreds of thousands of accounts across Instagram, Facebook and Threads in the lead up to the start date but has criticised the policy and argued it can push vulnerable teens towards less regulated services.
The government’s fact sheet points to an age assurance technology trial funded in the 2024-25 budget and sets out that platforms cannot force people to rely on a single digital ID option.
The regulator has said methods can include government issued ID, facial age estimation and age inference but platforms must offer at least one alternative to submitting formal identification.
Reddit has said it is complying while challenging the ban and eSafety has made clear it will not publish platform specific compliance numbers while it builds investigations and preserves its ability to take enforcement action.
