Meta removes 756,000 teen accounts in Australia as ban enforcement looms

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed around 756,000 teen accounts in Australia as part of a new government ban on social media use for individuals under 16. The removals, which occurred between December and June, include both Instagram and Facebook profiles. This action constitutes a significant increase from the 331,000 Instagram accounts and 173,000 Facebook accounts removed in January alone.

The Australian government introduced the stringent regulation due to concerns about the impact of social media on children and young teens' health. Despite prior opposition from tech giants, Meta is complying with the new law. The Australian regulator is investigating potential lawsuits against platforms for non-compliance, claiming that some companies have not taken sufficient measures to enforce the ban.

While other platforms have not released compliance data, studies suggest most underage users continued using social media during the initial months of the restriction. The Australian government has doubled the maximum penalty for non-compliance to approximately $69.75 million and has granted regulators enhanced document discovery powers.

Meta uses AI to detect underage accounts based on contextual clues and reports of suspected underage accounts. The company will continue to meet its obligations under the law, according to their statement. While Meta's direct financial risk in Australia is currently modest, investors are concerned that the Australian model could set a precedent for similar restrictions worldwide, potentially increasing compliance costs and limiting access to younger demographics in international markets.