New Delhi: Social media giant Meta has deactivated more than 750,000 accounts suspected of belonging to Australian users under the age of 16 following the implementation of Australia’s landmark social media ban. According to company data released on Thursday, the platform removed approximately 462,000 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts between December and June. This figure represents a sharp increase from January, when Meta reported taking down 331,000 Instagram and 173,000 Facebook profiles in the initial weeks following the law’s introduction.
The removals come as tech companies face mounting scrutiny and potential enforcement lawsuits from Australia’s online safety regulator over alleged non-compliance. Australia became the first nation to enact a nationwide social media restriction for minors under 16 on December 10, citing serious concerns regarding the impact of digital platforms on youth mental and physical well-being. Despite vocal opposition to the legislation prior to its passage, Meta stated it remains committed to meeting its legal obligations and expanding its automated detection efforts.
To identify non-compliant users, Meta has deployed artificial intelligence models designed to analyse profile details, captions, and behavioural patterns for indications of a user’s age, such as school grade references and birthday posts. The company has also simplified reporting mechanisms for parents and updated its age rating on app stores in Australia to 16 and above. Furthermore, Meta has implemented measures aimed at preventing users whose accounts were deactivated from immediately creating new profiles.
Despite these enforcement measures, independent studies and government data indicate that keeping younger users off social media remains a formidable challenge, with reports suggesting that more than eight in ten under-16s continued accessing platforms during the initial three months of the ban. Australian authorities are currently considering legislation to double the maximum penalties for non-compliant platforms to 99 million Australian dollars while expanding regulatory oversight powers. Representatives from major tech firms, including Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat, are scheduled to appear before a parliamentary inquiry on Friday to address ongoing enforcement strategies.
