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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s online safety watchdog said Tuesday it was considering court against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube alleging they are not doing enough to keep Australian children younger than 16 off their platforms.

Experts say the Australian courts could decide what steps the platforms can reasonably be expected to take under the laws that took effect on Dec. 10 banning young children from holding accounts.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant on Tuesday released her first compliance report since those laws took effect demanding 10 platforms remove all Australian account-holders younger than 16.

While 5 million Australian accounts had been deactivated, a substantial number of Australian children continued to retain accounts, create new accounts and pass platforms’ age assurance systems, the report said.

In the wake of US social media verdicts, a look at what limits other countries have imposed for kids

Dual jury verdicts this week have validated longstanding concerns about the dangers of social media for young people. But the U.S. lacks federal regulation that meaningfully addresses these harms.

On Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury found both Meta and YouTube liable for harms to children using their services. A day earlier in New Mexico, a jury determined that Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms.

Although parents and children’s advocates cheered the decisions, they argue that without federal regulation to rein in the companies, platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok are unlikely to implement any meaningful change. Many are pinning their hopes on the Kids Online Safety Act, a bill aimed at protecting kids from the harms of social media, gaming sites and other online platforms. It won Senate approval in 2024 but has lingered since.

Kids and Social Media: Australia Introduces Tough New Restrictions

Australia is taking a major step toward protecting children online by introducing strict rules that could limit or ban access to social media platforms for younger users. The move comes amid growing concerns over the impact of digital platforms on children’s mental health, online safety, and overall well-being.

Government officials and experts in Child Psychology have raised alarms about the increasing exposure of children to harmful content, cyberbullying, and addictive screen habits. The proposed measures aim to create a safer online environment by enforcing age restrictions and tighter regulations on major social media platforms.

The debate around a social media ban for kids is not new, but Australia’s approach could set an example for other countries considering similar laws. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have come under scrutiny for their role in shaping young minds and influencing behavior.

Supporters of the ban argue that restricting access will help reduce online risks and improve children’s focus on education and real-world interactions. However, critics believe that complete bans may not be practical and instead suggest better parental controls and digital education.

As discussions continue, this breaking news highlights a global shift toward stricter internet regulations for minors. The decision by Australia could have a significant impact on how countries around the world approach children’s online safety in the future