Meta Takes Down 756,000 Under-16 Accounts as Australia Tightens Ban Enforcement
Synopsis
The Facebook and Instagram owner has removed more than 750,000 suspected teen accounts since Australia's under-16 social media ban began, as regulators prepare to take tougher action against non-compliant platforms.
Meta has suspended 756,000 accounts of suspected Australian under-16s from Instagram and Facebook as it prepares to enforce new social media minimum-age rules more tightly.
According to the report, the company terminated 462,000 Instagram and 294,000 Facebook accounts shortly before the ban began in December 2025 and June 2026, compared to 331,000 Instagram accounts and 173,000 Facebook accounts as of January.
Australia Tightens Platform Enforcement
Australia’s new social media minimum-age rules took effect on December 10, 2025. From now on, all platforms concerned must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating accounts.
The eSafety Commissioner’s latest compliance report, released in March, noted concerns about Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The regulator stated it had begun taking enforcement action after reviewing the big tech companies’ compliance procedures.
For businesses operating social media platforms, eSafety sets out a compliance regime beyond account creation. The Australian government’s current list includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, X, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick, among others.
Australia’s government is also considering imposing higher penalties for violations. According to the report, the fine for a company found to be persistently non-compliant with the Social Media Minimum Age Rules could be as high as A$99 million.
Most Under 16s Continue Using Social Media Platforms
Eighty percent (80%) of Australians under 16 continue to use at least one platform three months after the rules came into force, according to the eSafety’s Early days, early insights report.
Account ownership by those under the age of 16 declined sharply nationwide from 52 percent (52%) to 42 percent, according to Reuters news agency.
Meanwhile, Meta is facing increased regulatory scrutiny, which adds to pressure on its profitability. The U.S.-based firm recorded revenue of $60.801 billion in second-quarter 2026 revenue, while net income was $15.848 billion and costs/expenses of $42.026 billion for the period.
For Australian and U.S. multinational businesses, recent events serve as a cautionary tale about online safety regulations in local markets.
Source: Reuters
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
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