In Australia, Snapchat has blocked 415,000 users under the age of 16

Snapchat suggests Australian authorities require app stores to directly verify users’ ages before apps are downloaded, thus joining its voice with that of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The company also renews its criticism of the Australian law, widely contested by industry operators: “Snapchat is first and foremost a messaging platform used by young people to stay in touch with close friends and family. We do not believe that cutting teenagers out of these relationships makes them safer, happier or improves their situation in any way,” underlines the company.

Several platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and Meta apps (Facebook, Instagram) must enforce the ban in Australia and risk fines if they do not take steps to comply with the law. Last month, Australia’s online safety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said the initial evidence on compliance with the ban was encouraging. “While some children may find ingenious ways to stay on social networks, it is important to remember that, as with other safety laws, the success of this measure should be measured rather in terms of reducing risks and changing mindsets in our society,” he said. Downloads of lesser-known social networks such as BlueSky and Lemon8 have increased ahead of the law’s entry into force but both social networks have acknowledged that they must enforce the regulation and are cooperating with the Australian regulator, explains Inman Grant.