Social media platforms removed 4.7 million accounts after Australia ban for children

Summary:

In response to Australia’s new law barring users under 16 from social media without parental consent, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat removed 4.7 million accounts between March-June 2024. The ban aims to protect minors from harmful content, data misuse, and online predators. Platforms used AI-driven age verification and manual reports to identify non-compliant or suspicious accounts. Roughly 24% were duplicate or bot accounts exploiting age-check loopholes.

What This Means for You:

• Impact: Children may create fake accounts via VPNs or stolen IDs.
• Fix: Enable parental controls to restrict unmonitored sign-ups.
• Security: Monitor linked email/phone logins for unrecognized devices.
• Warning: Predators target unregulated minor accounts on emerging platforms.

Solutions:

Solution 1: Strengthen Parental Controls

Use built-in OS or third-party tools to restrict app installations and enforce screen time limits. For iOS, activate Screen Time > Content Restrictions. Android users can install Google Family Link to approve/block apps remotely. Chromebooks support Supervised Users to filter websites and apps. Always set two-step verification for parental dashboards.

Solution 2: Verify Account Authenticity

Platforms flagged accounts with mismatched birthdays, no profile photos, or suspicious friend lists. Cross-check your child’s accounts using Instagram > Settings > Account > Personal Information or TikTok > Settings > Privacy > Personalization to confirm their age settings are accurate. Report impostor accounts via platform-specific forms.

Solution 3: Educate on Digital Footprints

Teach minors to avoid oversharing school uniforms, IDs, or geotags. Use role-play scenarios to explain how strangers exploit location data. Review TikTok’s Digital Wellbeing features to limit DMs from non-contacts and enable YouTube Restricted Mode to filter mature content.

Solution 4: Support Legislative Advocacy

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner provides templates to petition platforms for stricter age gates. Use ReportCyber for impersonation cases and demand facial-age estimation tools. Similar bills are pending in the EU (Digital Services Act) and Canada (Bill C-270).

People Also Ask:

• Q: Why were so many accounts deleted? A: Platforms complied with AU law to avoid $28M fines per violation.
• Q: Can removed accounts be recovered? A: No—banned users must submit government ID proving they’re 16+.
• Q: Are VPNs safe for kids to bypass bans? A: No—VPNs expose devices to malware and unregulated sites.
• Q: How do I know if my child’s account was removed? A: Check their login status or look for emails from “trust@” platform addresses.

Protect Yourself:

• Enable DNS filtering (e.g., OpenDNS) to block social media apps
• Use privacy-focused browsers like Brave to limit tracking
• Assign kids device-specific logins without app-store access
• Demand schools teach mandatory digital citizenship courses

Expert Take:

“Proactive parents should treat social media like driving—grant access only after proving responsibility via graduated controls,” advises Dr. Sarah Brown, CyberSafety Coalition.

Tags:

• Australia social media ban for children
• Underage account removal statistics 2024
• Parental consent social media laws
• How to set up TikTok age restrictions
• Prevent fake Instagram accounts for minors
• Best parental control apps Australia

*Featured image via source

Edited by 4idiotz Editorial System