Australian authorities announced the removal of nearly five million social media accounts belonging to minors in the first month of a landmark law barring those under 16 from accessing major platforms. The law, which imposes heavy fines on non-compliant companies like Instagram and Facebook, is being closely watched by other nations considering similar measures, though experts note many teens have already found ways to circumvent the age verification systems.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the early results encouraging, stating, “Change doesn’t happen overnight… But these early signs show it’s important we’ve acted to make this change.”