Australia blocks over 4.7 million social media accounts after under-16 ban, PM says

Noah Jones shows a warning on his phone that says he cannot access a social media site. Australia's ban covers Twitch, Kick, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, Instagram, Snap, X, TikTok, and Reddit. Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

More than 4.7 million social media accounts held by Australians that online platforms deemed under 16 were deactivated, removed, or restricted in the first days after the ban came into effect in December, the prime minister has said.

After the social media ban came into effect on December 10, the eSafety commissioner sent questions to each of the platforms covered by the ban, asking how many accounts had been removed in order to comply with the law.