An Australian influencer family is leaving the country to escape a new ban on social media for under-16s, relocating to London to protect their daughter’s online career. The Perth-based family, known as “The Empire Family,” announced their move on YouTube, saying they do not want to lose their millions of followers.
Australia enacted a law last year banning children under 16 from social media, one of the strictest measures globally. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube face fines of up to A$50m (£25m) if they fail to prevent under-16s from opening accounts. The ban is absolute, unlike EU rules that allow minors access with parental permission.
The family, comprising parents Beck and Rebecca and their children Charli, 14, and Prezley, 17, began posting in 2018 and amassed six million followers across platforms. “When we heard that it was actually going to happen, we were like, ‘Okay, we need a solution because Charli loves being online,’” Rebecca said.
The ban was championed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said: “Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them.” However, more than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter opposing the age limit as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”
Rebecca defended her family’s content, saying they discuss what to share and avoid private details. “It’s stuff that you would share on Facebook or something like that,” she said. The family’s relocation is intended to ensure Charli can continue her online career without interruption.
