Social media companies have deactivated 4.7 million accounts of children under 16, according to preliminary figures by eSafety. The ban, which came into affect on 10 December, is not being applied to Lemon8, a social media platform that is very similar in functionality to TikTok and Instagram.
ESafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said eSafety data on deactivations indicate major platforms are taking meaningful actions to prevent under-16s from holding accounts.
“I am very pleased with these preliminary results,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
“It is clear that eSafety’s regulatory guidance and engagement with platforms is already delivering significant outcomes.”
Inman Grant acknowledged reports some under-16s accounts remain active and cautioned it was too early to determine whether progress so far constituted full compliance by platforms, however early signs were encouraging.
“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,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“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.”
“And while effective age assurance may take time to bed down, we’ve had incredibly positive initial feedback already from three of the largest age assurance providers who have told us that Australia’s implementation of the social media minimum age has been relatively smooth and this was supported by proactive public education and communication about what to expect in the lead up to 10 December.”
Earlier this week, Meta revealed it had removed 544,052 accounts that it believes belong to under16s on Facebook, Instagram and Threads. Meta said it takes compliance of the legislation seriously but does not believe that age verification should be left up to individual platforms and would prefer for it to take place in app stores.
The Government’s ban on under-16s, which came into effect on 10 December, focuses on the largest platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick.
Although the legislation technically applies to all social media, irrespective of size, smaller platforms can self-assess whether they fall under the scope.
Lemon8, which is “powered by TikTok”, assessed that it does not falls inside the scope of the legislation, which means it can have users under the age of 16 on its platform.
When the ban first came into place, Lemon8 downloads spiked in app stores, but it is unclear exactly how many Australians and kids use the platform.
BluSky is another platform that says it does not come under the scope of the legislation.
B&T set up an account on Lemon8 to ascertain how different it was to other social media platforms. One B&T journalist described the app as: “It’s like TikTOk and Instagram had a baby” (see screenshots from the app below).
Inman Grant accepts that covering all social media apps is an uphill battle.
“Given the vast number of online services and the fast-evolving nature of the tech industry, it’s impossible to list all of the services which meet the conditions and are obliged to comply with the social media minimum age obligation,” Inman Grant said.
“As I have said for some time now, our compliance focus will remain on platforms with the highest number of Australian users.”
