Snapchat has suspended more than 415,000 accounts in Australia belonging to users under the age of 16, following enforcement of a new online safety law that restricts platform access for minors.
The company stated that checks and removals are continuing daily as part of compliance efforts.
New Law Targets Under-16 Social Media Use
Under the legislation, platforms including Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat are required to block accounts of users under 16. Failure to comply may result in fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (around 34 million US dollars).
Age Verification Still a Challenge
Snapchat admitted that current age-verification technologies are not fully effective, meaning some underage users might still bypass restrictions. The company has called for stricter age verification measures at app store level to prevent minors from downloading such apps.
Millions of Accounts Already Removed
Australia’s online safety regulator confirmed that technology companies have collectively removed around 4.7 million underage accounts, describing it as a significant milestone in protecting young users online.
Why This Matters Globally
Experts believe this move could influence other countries to adopt similar regulations. Concerns over child safety, mental health, and online risks have pushed governments to tighten rules around social media access for minors.
