Major technology companies have banned 4.7 million accounts on their platforms following the world’s first ban imposed by Australia on social media for those under the age of 16, according to an announcement by the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
The Commissioner stated in an announcement, “It is clear that the regulatory recommendations and the dialogue conducted by the regulator with the platforms are achieving significant results.”
Since the law came into effect on December 10, Australia has been requiring major platforms such as Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, and YouTube to prevent minors from having accounts on them.
The companies could face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 33 million US dollars) if they do not take tangible steps to comply with the law.
Obliging app download platforms to verify users’ ages
Last week, Meta announced that it had deleted 331,000 accounts of minors on Instagram, 173,000 accounts on Facebook, and 40,000 accounts on Threads in the week ending December 11.
Meta renewed its call to oblige app download platforms to verify users’ ages and obtain parental permission before those under the age of 16 can download any app.
The Australian Commissioner said that age verification takes time, but noted that she expects platforms to improve their performance.
Australia
Australia is a continent and nation with a history spanning over 65,000 years of continuous Indigenous culture, followed by British colonization beginning in 1788. It is known for its unique ecosystems, modern multicultural cities, and landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Uluru.
Meta
Meta is a technology company founded in 2021, but it is the parent entity of the social media platform Facebook, which was originally launched in 2004. The company, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, rebranded to Meta to reflect its strategic focus on building the “metaverse,” a vision for interconnected virtual and augmented reality experiences.
Facebook
Facebook is a social media platform founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard University roommates. It began as a network for college students before expanding globally, fundamentally changing online communication and becoming a major corporation.
Instagram
Instagram is a social media platform founded in 2010, initially focused on sharing photos and videos with filters. It has evolved into a major cultural site for visual communication, influencer marketing, and personal storytelling, significantly shaping modern digital culture and social interaction.
TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform for creating and sharing short-form videos, launched internationally in 2017 by the Chinese company ByteDance after merging with its predecessor, Douyin. It rapidly grew into a global cultural phenomenon, significantly influencing music, dance, and internet trends.
YouTube
YouTube is an online video-sharing platform founded in 2005 that allows users to upload, view, and share video content. It rapidly grew to become a dominant force in digital media and was acquired by Google in 2006, fundamentally shaping global internet culture and entertainment.
Threads
Threads is a social media platform launched in July 2023 by Meta Platforms, Inc., designed as a text-based conversation app connected to Instagram. It was created as a direct competitor to services like X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing real-time updates and public discussions. The platform gained rapid initial adoption, signing up millions of users within its first few days.
