Meta, the technology giant that owns Facebook and Instagram, revealed it has deactivated over 756,000 user accounts in Australia suspected to belong to children under the age of 16. This action is in response to the world's first law banning youth from using social media, amid pressure from the Australian government threatening heavy fines and legal action against platforms that fail to comply strictly.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, disclosed that since before the law banning children under 16 from using social media took effect in December, up to June this year, it has suspended more than 756,000 accounts suspected to be owned by Australian users under 16.
Meta stated that among these accounts, approximately 462,000 are Instagram accounts and about 294,000 are Facebook accounts, marking a significant increase from figures reported by the company in January, when it had suspended 331,000 Instagram accounts and 173,000 Facebook accounts.
The law, effective from 10 December, is the world's first to require social media platforms to prevent children under 16 from having accounts. The Australian government justified the law as a measure to reduce the physical and mental health impacts of social media on children and adolescents.
Although Meta and other platforms openly opposed the law, the company stated its intent to comply. Meanwhile, Australia's internet regulatory agency is considering legal action against various platforms, including those owned by Meta, after finding some have insufficient measures to prevent children’s accounts.
The Australian government and several studies found that within the first three months after the law’s enforcement, more than 80% of children under 16 still used social media, highlighting the challenges in enforcing age restrictions.
Australia plans to increase penalties for platforms that fail to comply by proposing fines up to 99 million Australian dollars (approximately 69.75 million U.S. dollars) and granting regulators greater authority to access documents and data related to compliance.
Meta said enforcement is ongoing and the number of suspended accounts will rise. The company uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze profile data for clues indicating accounts belong to users under 16, such as birthdate information, birthday celebrations, or mentions of school grade level, and also reviews user reports about suspected minor accounts.
The company added that if a user’s account is deleted for suspected age under the threshold, that user cannot create a new account and attempt to verify their age again.
Earlier tests of Australia’s age verification technology in 2025 found that existing market technologies can support enforcing age restrictions. Major platforms, including Meta’s services, have implemented age estimation from photos, alongside behavioral and activity-based assessments on the platforms.
On 14 August, representatives from Meta, TikTok, Google (owner of YouTube), and Snap (owner of Snapchat) are scheduled to provide information to the Australian Parliamentary Commission reviewing these changes, alongside officials from regulatory agencies and government.
Meta confirmed it is continuing enforcement efforts and stated it shares a goal with the Australian government to provide children and youth with a safe and age-appropriate online experience, affirming its compliance with legal requirements.
Australia is monitoring global movements in several countries considering social media age restrictions for children. The Australian government has accused platforms of deliberately designing systems to undermine the ban on children under 16, allegations denied by the technology companies.