Meta Social Media ban: After the ban on social media use by children under 16 years of age in Australia, Meta deactivated more than 7.96 lakh accounts.
Meta Social Media Ban
Social media use has increased significantly among children and young people today. Excessive use of social media at a young age raises concerns about children's safety and privacy. For this reason, strict regulations have been implemented in Australia regarding social media use by children under the age of 16, including a ban on social media for children under 16. Following these regulations, Meta has taken action against a large number of accounts. The company has deactivated more than 756,000 accounts. Let's explore why Meta took this step and the reasoning behind it.
More than 7.56 lakh accounts were deactivated.
According to Meta, between December 2025 and June 2026, more than 756,000 accounts were deactivated in Australia where users were suspected to be under the age of 16. This includes approximately 462,000 Instagram and 294,000 Facebook accounts. This action was taken under new regulations implemented in Australia.
Strictness for children under 16 years of age
In Australia, a law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media came into effect in December 2025. Its purpose is to protect children from the harms associated with social media. This regulation has increased the responsibility of social media platforms. Companies now have to ensure that underage children cannot create accounts without violating the rules.
AI helps in determining age
Meta uses several methods to identify underage users, including artificial intelligence (AI). The company can look at signals from a user's profile and online activity. For example, if a post reveals information related to birthday, school grade, or age, the account may be investigated. Action can also be taken if a user or other individual reports it.
What was the effect of this step?
Meta's action has increased scrutiny of underage users' social media use in Australia. With a large number of accounts deactivated, accessing social media platforms has become more difficult for children than before. However, the long-term impact of this and whether children will be able to use social media in new ways remains to be seen. The government and social media companies are now focusing on strengthening regulations to protect children online.
