Overview
- Australia’s law took effect this week, requiring major platforms to block users under 16 or face fines up to A$49.5 million.
- Reddit filed a High Court challenge arguing the rules are misapplied to its forum‑style service and infringe the implied freedom of political communication, saying it will comply while seeking review.
- TikTok has deactivated about 200,000 accounts since the ban began, creators report sharp audience drops, and the eSafety regulator is collecting before‑and‑after counts of under‑16 accounts.
- Meta, X, YouTube, TikTok and others say they will enforce the ban but contend it could drive teens to less regulated services and increase privacy risks from mandatory age verification.
- Alternative apps have seen rapid uptake, Lemon8 set its own 16‑plus limit, VPN interest surged, UNICEF cautioned age bans alone are insufficient, and officials in countries including France, Denmark and the United States are watching the rollout.