Nearly 5 Million Accounts Removed Under Australia’s New Social Media Ban
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Nearly five million social media accounts belonging to Australian teenagers have been deactivated or removed following a new law banning users under 16 from accessing certain platforms.
- The law, effective since December, requires major platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Reddit to prevent underage access, with fines up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for non-compliance.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the legislation as a pioneering effort to protect young teens from mental health risks and online abuse, emphasizing the importance of early progress.
- Despite the removal of many accounts, some teenagers have reportedly bypassed age restrictions by falsifying their age or circumventing verification methods, highlighting challenges in enforcement.
- The law is being closely observed internationally as
