Social media platform, Snapchat, has blocked nearly 4,15,000 accounts in Australia, believed to belong to underage teenagers, in compliance with the country’s recent ban on social media platforms for underage users.
The action follows the passage of a legislation in the country that prohibits social media platforms from allowing children below the age of 16 to own and operate accounts. The law came into effect on December 10, 2025.
Australian government officials said Snapchat had blocked 4,15,000 accounts as part of the ban, although the company warned that some youngsters may be bypassing age verification technology.
Other technology giants, including Meta, TikTok and YouTube, have also been asked to prevent underage users from accessing accounts, with non-compliance carrying severe penalties, including fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (approximately US$34 million).
Last month, eSafety Commissioner reported that tech companies had almost immediately blocked 4.7 million accounts across platforms, delivering “significant outcomes”. As of February 2, 2026, Snapchat stated that it had blocked more than 415,000 accounts belonging to users under 16 years of age. “We continue to lock more accounts daily,” the company said in an online statement.
However, it highlighted significant limitations in its age-estimation technology, which is accurate only within two to three years.
“These gaps in the system would allow some underage teenagers to bypass the protections, potentially leaving them with reduced safeguards, while others over 16 may also lose their access,” the company said.
Snapchat joined Meta in calling on Australia to require app stores to verify users’ ages before permitting downloads. “Creating a centralised verification system at the app-store level would allow for more consistent protection and higher barriers to circumventing the law,” it said.
Australia’s move is being closely watched globally. On January 26, France’s National Assembly approved legislation to ban children under 15 from social media platforms, citing growing concerns over online bullying and mental health risks.
