2 weeks ago
Meta removes 756,000 Australian teen accounts as ban enforcement looms
Australia made a new rule saying kids under 16 cannot use social media like Instagram and Facebook.
The rule started on December 10.
The government made the rule to help protect children's physical and mental health.
Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, has been finding accounts that might belong to kids under 16.
So far, it has removed more than 750,000 of those accounts.
But studies show more than eight out of ten kids under 16 were still using social media during the first three months of the ban.
Meta says it uses computer programs to find clues, like birthday celebrations or mentions of school grades, and that it will keep removing more accounts.
Australia could also fine companies up to A$99 million if they do not follow the rules.
Representatives from Meta, TikTok, Google and Snapchat will answer questions at a parliamentary hearing on Friday.
Meta has removed more than 756,000 accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16 since Australia's world-first social media ban took effect on December 10.
Meta deactivated 462,000 Instagram and 294,000 Facebook accounts from just before the ban went live in December through June, up from 504,000 accounts (331,000 Instagram; 173,000 Facebook) it reported by January.
Australia's internet regulator eSafety is considering an enforcement lawsuit against platforms it says have failed to take sufficient steps to comply with the law.
Government figures and multiple independent studies show more than eight in 10 under-16s were still on social media during the ban's first three months.
Meta says it uses AI to spot 'contextual clues' such as birthday celebrations or school grade mentions, and that enforcement numbers will continue to grow.
- Who
- Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, along with Australia's internet regulator eSafety and the Australian government.
- What
- Meta removed more than 756,000 accounts it suspected were held by Australians under 16, while Australia's internet regulator weighs enforcement action over the country's world-first teen social media ban.
- Where
- Australia.
- When
- The ban came into force on December 10; Meta announced the figures on Thursday, August 13, covering the period through June.
- Why
- The law was proposed over concerns about social media's impact on the physical and mental health of children and young teens, and regulators may take enforcement action against platforms.
Australian Government & Regulators
Meta and Social Media Platforms
Compliance with the ban
Australian Government & Regulators
Regulators say platforms have failed to take sufficient steps to comply and have accused them of intentionally setting the ban up to fail, prompting a possible enforcement lawsuit.
Meta and Social Media Platforms
Meta says it is meeting its obligations under the law and shares the Australian Government's goal of keeping young people safe online.
Effectiveness of enforcement
Australian Government & Regulators
Government figures and multiple independent studies show more than 8 in 10 under-16s were still on social media during the ban's first three months; eSafety attributed this to ineffective implementation of age assurance measures.
Meta and Social Media Platforms
Meta says enforcement is ongoing and the number of removed accounts will continue to grow, using AI and photo-based age estimation.
The ban itself
Australian Government & Regulators
The Australian government proposed the law over concerns about social media's impact on children's physical and mental health, doubled the maximum penalty to A$99 million, and says the ban has reshaped the national debate.
Meta and Social Media Platforms
Meta and other platforms vocally opposed the law, although Meta now says it wants to comply.
Key facts
- Total accounts removed
- More than 756,000
- Instagram accounts removed
- 462,000
- Facebook accounts removed
- 294,000
- Accounts removed by January
- 504,000 (331,000 Instagram; 173,000 Facebook)
- Ban effective date
- December 10
- Maximum penalty for non-compliance
- A$99 million (about US$69.75 million)
- Under-16s still on social media in first 3 months
- More than 8 in 10 (over 80% of children aged 10-15, per eSafety)
- Parliamentary hearing
- Friday; Meta, TikTok, Google and Snapchat to give evidence
Quotes
Meta representative
Meta spokesperson in a public statement
“"The primary reason children continued to hold age-restricted social media accounts at three months appeared to be ineffective implementation of age assurance measures," the commission said in its report.”
livemint.com
“"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."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Meta says it has taken down 756,000 Australian teen accounts as ban enforcement looms
Meta took down 7,56,000 Australian teen accounts as social media ban enforcement looms
Meta removes 700,000+ Instagram, Facebook accounts over underage users
Australia Cracks Down On Big Tech: Meta Removes Nearly 8 Lakh Teen Accounts After Social Media Ban
Meta takes down 756,000 Australian teen accounts as ban enforcement looms - Telegraph India
Meta says it removed over 750,000 Instagram and Facebook accounts to comply with Australia's social media ban
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