eSafety uncovers tricks used by big tech to undermine social media banSkip to navigationSkip to contentSkip to footerHelp using this website - Accessibility statementToday's Paper

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Technology<br>Social media<br>Print article<br>Emma McGrath-Cohen Reporter

Mar 31, 2026 – 4.30pm

Communications Minister Anika Wells says big tech firms are “taking the mickey” with their efforts to comply with the under-16 social media ban, after revealing just 300,000 accounts have been removed from platforms since an initial cull, bringing the total to 5 million.<br>The world-first age restrictions have been criticised for failing to effectively remove children from online platforms, but Wells blamed the digital platforms and accused some companies of trying to make the legislation fail.<br>Loading...

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