Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Meta Closes 550,000 Accounts Under Australia’s U-16 Social Media Ban
Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has closed almost 550,000 accounts in Australia.
This is because of a new law that says kids under 16 are not allowed to use these social media platforms.
The law started on December 10, and companies like Meta have to follow it or pay big fines.
Meta is not happy with the law and thinks there should be better ways to protect kids online, like checking ages on all apps.
They are worried that kids might just move to other apps that don't have these rules.
Meta shut down 550,000 accounts in Australia to comply with a ban on social media for children under 16.
The accounts closed include 330,000 Instagram, 173,000 Facebook, and 40,000 Threads accounts.
Australia's law, effective December 10, fines companies up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.
Meta opposes the ban, advocating for standard age-verification and industry-wide protections.
Meta expresses concern about the surge in downloads of alternative social media platforms.
- Who
- Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Threads)
- What
- Closed 550,000 accounts of users believed to be under 16
- When
- After December 10, 2023
- Where
- Australia
- Why
- To comply with Australia's social media ban for children under 16
- Number of Accounts Closed
- 550,000
- Instagram Accounts Closed
- 330,000
- Facebook Accounts Closed
- 173,000
- Threads Accounts Closed
- 40,000
- Maximum Fine for Non-Compliance
- A$49.5 million ($33 million)
- Date Law Came into Effect
- December 10
- Countries with Similar Laws
- None (Australia is the first democracy)
