Meta has removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16. The action follows Australia’s world-first social media ban for children below 16. Meta said it removed the accounts between December and June as regulators continue monitoring compliance.
Meta Reports Hundreds of Thousands of Account Removals
Meta deactivated around 462,000 suspected underage Instagram accounts during the period. It also removed approximately 294,000 Facebook accounts.
The latest figures represent a significant increase from January. At that time, Meta reported removing 331,000 Instagram accounts and 173,000 Facebook accounts.
The company has opposed Australia’s social media restrictions but says it intends to follow the law. Meanwhile, Australia’s internet regulator is considering legal action against platforms over alleged compliance failures.
Meta said, “Enforcement is ongoing, and these numbers will continue to grow,”
The company also added, “We share the Australian Government’s goal of ensuring young people have safe, age-appropriate experiences online, and we are meeting our obligations under the law,”
However, government figures and independent research suggest many young users remained active on social platforms after the ban began.
Australia Tightens Rules for Social Media Platforms
Australia introduced the landmark restrictions on December 10. The government cited concerns about social media’s potential effects on children and teenagers.
The country is now considering stronger penalties for platforms that fail to comply. Proposed changes could double the maximum penalty to A$99 million and expand regulatory powers.
Moreover, representatives from Meta, TikTok, Google and Snap are scheduled to appear before a parliamentary inquiry. Government officials and regulators will also provide evidence during Friday’s hearing.
Meta said it uses artificial intelligence to identify potentially underage users. The system examines profile information and “contextual clues” such as birthday posts or school-related references.
The company also reviews reports about suspected underage accounts. Furthermore, Meta has removed the option for users to repeatedly create accounts after an earlier account faces removal.
Australia’s approach could influence other countries considering similar age restrictions. Therefore, the effectiveness of its enforcement measures may shape future social media regulations worldwide.
