Meta removed over 750,000 accounts it linked to Australian teenagers under 16 after the country’s social media age restriction began in December.
Between December and June, the company deactivated 462,000 suspect Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts. The total rose from 331,000 Instagram and 173,000 Facebook accounts removed by January.
Compliance under scrutiny
Australia’s law prevents social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create accounts. Meta opposed the measure but now follows it.
Australia’s internet regulator is considering legal action against platforms it says have not enforced the ban effectively. No other company has released compliance data for the same period.
Independent studies and government figures indicate more than 80% of Australian teens under 16 stayed on social media in the first three months. Critics say platforms built enforcement systems that were easy to bypass.
This week, Australia proposed legislation to raise the maximum penalty for non-compliance to $99 million and give the regulator more investigative power. The move shows frustration with how slowly companies have adjusted.
How Meta identifies underage accounts
Meta uses artificial intelligence to scan profiles for details like birthday posts or school grade mentions. It also checks reports from users about suspected underage accounts.
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When an account is flagged and removed, the company blocks new registration attempts from the same device or credentials. Most large platforms, including Meta, now use photo-based age estimation tools, though they still rely on behavioral signals—such as browsing habits—to guess a user’s age.
A 2025 test of age verification technology found current methods could help enforce a ban, but accuracy differs. Enforcement still depends on self-reported data and algorithmic estimates.
A 14-year-old who lies about their age during sign-up might avoid detection until a friend tags them in a middle school post or a parent reports the account. The system has flaws but remains the main barrier for most platforms.
Meta, TikTok, Google, and Snap will testify before a parliamentary inquiry on Friday. Regulators and officials will also speak, pressing for quicker improvements.
In a statement, Meta said enforcement continues and the number of removed accounts will keep increasing. “We share the Australian government’s goal of giving young people safe, age-appropriate online experiences, and we are meeting our legal obligations,” the company said.
The debate involves more than numbers. It questions whether a ban can succeed when the tools to enforce it are still developing—and whether companies will ever put compliance ahead of expanding their user base.
