Meta announced on Thursday that it had removed more than 750,000 accounts believed to belong to Australians under 16 since a pioneering ban on teen accounts took effect. The company pledged further steps ahead of possible regulatory action. It deactivated 462,000 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts from late last year through June, an increase from earlier figures of 331,000 and 173,000 respectively. Meta stated it aims to follow the law despite prior opposition, as Australia’s regulator weighs enforcement against platforms for insufficient compliance. Government data and studies indicate over 80 percent of under-16s remained active on social media in the initial months. The law, effective December 10, addresses concerns over social media’s effects on young people’s health. Australia has criticized platforms for potential non-cooperation and raised penalties to A$99 million. Meta, TikTok, Google, and Snap representatives are set to testify in a parliamentary inquiry. The company noted enforcement continues and it shares goals for safe online experiences for youth, using AI to detect underage accounts via profile clues and limiting re-registration attempts.
