Social media platforms have blocked about 4.7 million accounts of under-16 users in just the first half of December, eSafety says.
The move follows a new federal law taking effect on December 10 that now restricts access children have to platforms like Twitch.
In new data released today (January 16), the office of eSafety says popular social media platforms in Australia have acted.
Compliant platforms in Australia are Twitch, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X-Twitter and YouTube.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says she is “very pleased” with what she has seen so far from these platforms.
She acknowledges that it will take time for age verification to take root but says they expect to see continual improvement in its accuracy and efficiency.
Grant also says it the platforms’ responsibility to prevent circumvention of age verification as some u-16s accounts remain active and that it was too early to tell if the platforms are in full compliance.
SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDBACK
“While some kids may find creative ways to stay on social media, it’s important to remember that just like other safety laws we have in society, success is measured by reduction in harm and in re-setting cultural norms,” Grant says.
“Speed limits for instance are not a failure because some people speed. Most would agree that roads are safer because of them. Over time, compliance increases, norms settle and the safety benefits grow.”
Grant says they have received positive feedback from the industry.
“While effective age assurance may take time to bed down, we’ve had incredibly positive initial feedback from three of the largest age assurance providers,” she says.
“(They) told us that Australia’s implementation of the social media minimum age has been relatively smooth, supported by public education and communication about what to expect in the lead up to December 10.”
Grant believes the true impact of the social media minimum age won’t be measured in weeks or months but generational.
“We are still at the very beginning of this journey. It is evident platforms are taking different approaches based on their individual circumstances, resulting in variations in the data and outcomes currently surfaced,” she says.
“While some positive changes will be clearly evident today, some longer-term normative changes and related positive impacts on children and families may take years to fully manifest.”
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