Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has deactivated 756,000 accounts suspected of being held by Australians under 16 years old. This significant action comes as Australia's internet regulator considers an enforcement lawsuit against social media platforms. The accounts were removed between December and June, following a world-first ban on teen accounts.
The company specifically removed 462,000 suspect Instagram accounts and 294,000 suspect Facebook accounts. This move is a direct response to a landmark Australian law that came into force on December 10. The law aims to protect children and young teens from the negative impacts of social media on their physical and mental health. Meta states it wants to comply with this legislation, despite previously opposing it.
This development fits into a broader global trend of increased scrutiny on social media companies regarding child safety. Governments worldwide are examining how platforms manage underage users and protect their well-being. Australia's proactive stance, including a proposed doubling of non-compliance penalties to A$99 million (approximately GHS 890 million), sets a precedent. This regulatory pressure highlights the growing economic and reputational risks for tech giants failing to meet child protection standards.
Meta stated, "Enforcement is ongoing, and these numbers will continue to grow." The company 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." This statement underscores Meta's commitment to addressing regulatory concerns. However, Australian government figures indicate that over eight in 10 under-16s were still on social media in the ban's first three months.
The immediate implication is that other countries may adopt similar strict age-verification laws. This could force social media companies to invest heavily in age assurance technologies globally. Investors will closely watch how these regulations affect user growth and advertising revenue for platforms. The Australian regulator's actions could also lead to significant fines, impacting Meta's financial performance. This situation highlights the increasing cost of regulatory compliance for major tech firms.
Meta has detailed its methods for identifying underage users, including using artificial intelligence (AI). The AI analyses user profiles for "contextual clues" such as birthday celebrations or mentions of school grades. The company also analyses reports about suspected underage accounts. Furthermore, Meta removed the option for individuals to create new accounts if their previous one was deleted for age violations. This indicates a more robust enforcement mechanism.
A 2025 Australian trial of age assurance technology found existing products could effectively support such a ban. Most large platforms, including Meta, have implemented photo-based age estimation software. They often combine this with age inference, which estimates a person's age based on their online activity. This technological investment is crucial for meeting regulatory demands. The ongoing parliamentary inquiry will further scrutinise these compliance efforts.
The Australian government has accused platforms of intentionally setting the ban up to fail. This accusation underscores the tension between tech companies and regulators. The government's introduction of a law to double the maximum penalty for non-compliance to A$99 million (GHS 890 million) reflects its serious intent. This financial penalty, equivalent to approximately $69.75 million, represents a substantial risk for non-compliant platforms. The regulator will also gain greater document discovery powers, increasing its oversight capabilities.