Teen influencer leaves Australia to escape under-16 social media ban
One of Australia’s rising teen influencers has fled overseas to protect million-dollar social media careers as the country’s under-16 ban strikes “kidfluencers” and forces them to reassess their strategies.
One of the country’s most influential rising stars has fled the country, in a bid to protect their social media accounts as Australia’s long-anticipated under-16 ban kicks in.
For some teenagers, social media isn’t just a hobby, it is a primary source of income, brand partnerships and long-term career opportunity.
From dancers and models to Olympians and YouTube prodigies, here are the young influencers set to be hit hardest by the crackdown.
CARLEE JADE CLEMENTS:
Dancer, Actor & Model (14) | 37K Followers | @carleejadeclements
Carlee Jade Clements has spent the past few years building what most adults would consider a full-time career. At just 14, she is already a professional model, actor, dancer, singer and sought after brand collaborator with more than 37,000 Instagram followers.
Her page is essentially her digital portfolio, with behind the scenes videos, acting clips, photo-shoot moments and achievements.
A spokeswoman for Clements said social media is “her job and source of income”.
“She would rather be an influencer for brands than work in retail or food outlets for hours. Social media is a creative outlet and means for networking.”
They added that Clement’s Instagram is adult-managed, and will continue to be until she turns 18.
CHARLI LEA:
YouTuber (14) | 580K Subscribers | @CharliLea / Empire Family
With 580,000 YouTube subscribers and millions more across family channels, 14-year-old Charli Lea is one of Australia’s most recognisable young creators. Her gaming, unboxing and lifestyle videos have built her a massive global audience.
Ahead of the social media ban, Charli and her parents packed up their lives in Perth and moved to London, taking advantage of their dual citizenship to continue her career overseas.
The news was confirmed in a video uploaded to The Empire Family channel, which has 1.7 million subscribers.
Charli’s mum, Beck, explained that the family isn’t opposed to the ban, but for creators like her daughter who use the internet responsibly and professionally, it would destroy the work they have built.
“It’s a protective thing and we understand that,” she said in the video.
“It is protecting young people from harm on the internet but we use the internet for good.”
The family had been planning to travel, and the ban simply accelerated the move.
“We have dual citizenship… and we’ve been wanting to travel for a while so now we can go to the UK, we can still use our social media, Charls can use her social media… while Australia figures out the logistics.”
NAZ NORRIS:
YouTuber (15)| 772K |@naznorris
Naz Norris is one sixth of YouTube’s powerhouse family The Norris Nuts.
At just 15, Naz has built a massive digital footprint alongside her siblings, becoming a key figure in a family that has arguably mastered the business of online influence. Her creative challenge content and signature pre-teen humour have helped her grow fast across Instagram and TikTok.
The Norris Nuts’ content empire is a highly lucrative operation. Led by ex-Olympian Justin Norris and wife Brooke, the family has amassed an estimated $30 million fortune from their channels, with a combined reach of more than 20 million across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Their recent property activity alone shows just how successful the digital brand has become. After a $40 million property spree in Queensland, they’ve since relocated to Sydney’s east, settling into a $15.2m North Bondi home and purchasing several neighbouring properties.
DEJA CLARK:
Influencer (14) | 2M Followers | @deja_clarkk
With two million followers, Deja Clark is one of Australia’s most successful young influencers. Her polished content, fashion forward style and entrepreneurial spirit have turned her into an international digital figure, and at just 14, she has already built her own swimwear brand, Sunny De, which launched in January.
Deja is now living in the United States, which means she will dodge the Australian ban altogether.
Speaking to Confidential in April, Deja explained what drives her. “My success is being able to wake up everyday and work with companies I love,” she said.
“I am very lucky I have the most supportive followers who cheer me on everyday as I work towards my ultimate goal and having that community by my side makes everyday successful.”
ARISA TREW:
Olympic Skateboarder (15) | 191K Followers | @arisa_trew
Olympic gold medallist Arisa Trew is one of Australia’s most accomplished teens at the ripe age of 15. With 191,000 Instagram followers and a global fan base, Trew’s social media is far more than a hobby. It showcases training, partners with sponsors, shares achievements, and maintains visibility in an international sport that relies heavily on online presence.
AVA CHANEL:
Dancer & Cheerleader (12) | 11K Followers | @littlemiss_avachanel.official
Twelve year old dancer and cheerleader Ava Chanel has grown a dedicated following of more than 11,000 fans who tune in for her training updates, competition footage, choreography snippets and behind the scenes glimpses into the world of elite youth performing arts.
OLIVIA VAN HEESWYK:
Dancer (12) | 10K Followers | @oliviavanheeswyk
At just 12, Olivia Van Heeswyk has already amassed 10,000 Instagram followers. Her feed is filled with competitions, classes, workshops, photo shoots and routines, making social media a key part of her development as a performer.
MARCUS TZIKAS:
Model (Under 16) | 11K Followers | @marcus.tzikas
Young model Marcus Tzikas has cultivated an online following of more than 11,000 fans, using Instagram to share his photo shoots, campaigns and behind-the-scenes insights from the modelling world.
FRANKIE MCAULIFFE:
Dancer (13) | 27K Followers | @frankie.mcauliffe
Thirteen-year-old dancer Frankie McAuliffe has built a following of 27,000 fans, making her one of Australia’s most prominent young performers online. With the arrival of the under-16 ban, Frankie is expected to lose access to her accounts despite being parent managed and professionally run.
MADDIE ROSE:
Dancer (15) | 44K Followers | @maddie_rose_d
Fifteen year old Maddie Rose has earned a following of 44,000 on Instagram, known for her dance content and modelling photos.
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Originally published as Teen influencer leaves Australia to escape under-16 social media ban
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