Meta Reports Removing 756,000 Australian Teen Accounts Ahead of Under-16 Social Media Ban Enforcement

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, says it has removed more than 750,000 accounts in Australia believed to belong to users under 16 since the country’s world-first social media age restriction came into effect in December. According to the company, 462,000 suspected underage Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts were deactivated between the period immediately before the ban began and June. The figures represent a significant increase from the 331,000 Instagram and 173,000 Facebook accounts Meta said it had removed by January.

Meta has maintained that it intends to comply with Australia’s legislation, despite previously opposing the law alongside other major technology platforms. The announcement comes as Australia’s internet regulator considers possible legal action against platforms it believes have not done enough to enforce the restrictions.

While other platforms have not published comparable figures for the same period, Australian government data and independent research indicate that more than 80% of children under 16 continued using social media during the ban’s first three months. The legislation, introduced over concerns about the impact of social media on children’s physical and mental wellbeing, took effect on December 10. Australia is also considering tougher penalties, with proposed changes potentially doubling the maximum fine for violations to A$99 million.

Meta, TikTok, Google’s YouTube and Snapchat representatives are scheduled to appear before a parliamentary inquiry on Friday. Meta said enforcement remains ongoing and the number of removed accounts is expected to increase. The company said it uses artificial intelligence to identify potential underage users by analysing profile information, including references to birthdays, schools and grades, as well as reports from other users.