At a Glance
Meta removed 756,000 suspected under-16 accounts in Australia.
462,000 were Instagram accounts and 294,000 were Facebook accounts.
Australia’s under-16 social media ban took effect on December 10.
Maximum penalties for non-compliance could rise to A$99 million ($69.75 million).
Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap representatives face a parliamentary hearing on Friday.
A Bigger Test for Big Tech
Meta’s latest figures show how aggressively platforms are enforcing Australia’s landmark social media restrictions, while regulators prepare to take a closer look at compliance.
Key Details
Meta said on Thursday it had deactivated 462,000 suspected under-16 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts between December and June. That is a sharp increase from the 331,000 Instagram and 173,000 Facebook accounts it reported removing by January.
The figures come as Australia’s internet regulator considers stronger enforcement against platforms it believes have failed to do enough to comply with the law.
The government introduced the ban over concerns about the impact of social media on children’s physical and mental health. More than eight in 10 under-16s were still using social media during the ban’s first three months, according to government figures and independent studies.
Meta said enforcement is continuing and the number of removed accounts will grow. The company says it is using profile information, user reports and age-estimation technology to identify potentially underage users.
Why It Matters
The Australian rules could become a model for other countries considering similar restrictions. For technology investors, the key issue is whether tougher regulation could bring higher compliance costs, legal risks and pressure on major platforms.
Meta, TikTok, Google and Snap are due to appear before a parliamentary inquiry on Friday. Investors will be watching closely for signs of tougher enforcement and what it could mean for the sector.
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Source: Reuters
Time: 10:00 AM EEST
