Meta says it shut down 750,000 under-16 accounts in Australia

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 AUGUST 2026 —

**Meta removes 750,000 under-16 accounts in Australia under new youth social media ban**

The enforcement action, disclosed by the Menlo Park-based company on Aug 13, includes 500,000 accounts removed before the law’s implementation and an additional 250,000 since. Of these, 462,000 were Instagram accounts and 294,000 were Facebook accounts. Meta said enforcement remains ongoing and that the total will continue to rise.

The removals follow Australia’s Online Safety Act, which requires platforms like Meta, Snap Inc., and TikTok to block under-16s from creating accounts or face potential fines. The law reflects growing global concern over the mental health and developmental impacts of social media on children.

While over two dozen countries have either adopted similar restrictions or are considering them, early data suggests many Australian children have circumvented the rules. A July report by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner found only a marginal reduction in underage usage three months after the law’s introduction.

The proportion of under-16s reporting social media use dropped from 85.9% before the ban to 81.5% in March. The regulator attributed continued access primarily to ineffective age verification. Among children aged 10 to 15 on Instagram, 38% said they had not been asked to verify their age, while 28% on Facebook reported the same.

Meta did not provide an estimate of how many under-16 accounts may still exist on its platforms in Australia, nor did it comment on the eSafety findings. The company said it uses AI-powered detection and other tools to enforce the ban, and regularly reports enforcement data to the Australian government.

Regional observers are closely monitoring Australia’s approach as a test case for balancing child protection with digital access. Malaysia, which has not yet introduced a blanket under-16 ban, has taken a different regulatory path. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has emphasized education and parental controls over outright bans, though it has warned social media companies to strengthen age verification.

“Malaysia’s current framework prioritizes guidance and awareness over prohibition,” said an MCMC spokesperson. “We are studying international developments, including Australia’s model, but any policy shift would require thorough stakeholder consultation and evidence-based assessment.”

In Southeast Asia, where youth social media usage is high, the debate over regulation is intensifying. Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information has signaled plans to tighten age verification on platforms, while Thailand has introduced mandatory age checks for new social media registrations.

Children’s rights advocates in Malaysia argue that stronger enforcement is needed. “While education is important, platforms must be held accountable for allowing underage access,” said a child protection specialist from a Kuala Lumpur-based NGO. “Many children in Malaysia already use social media before 13, often without parental knowledge. A more robust verification system is long overdue.”

Industry stakeholders, however, caution against overly restrictive measures that could limit digital inclusion. “Social media is a critical tool for education and social connection, especially in rural areas,” said a representative from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. “Blanket bans may disproportionately affect vulnerable youth who rely on these platforms for learning and opportunity.”

Meta’s enforcement in Australia highlights the challenges of age verification at scale. The company has rolled out tools such as birthday reminders and AI-based detection, but critics argue these measures are easily bypassed. In response to the eSafety report, Meta has reiterated its commitment to improving age assurance, though it has not outlined specific changes.

Globally, the push for stricter youth protections on social media is gaining momentum. The European Union’s Digital Services Act requires platforms to assess risks to minors, while the United States is considering the Kids Online Safety Act. Australia’s experience may influence these efforts, particularly as regulators seek data on real-world effectiveness.

For now, Australian regulators remain cautious. “We are in the early stages of evaluating the ban’s impact,” said eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. “While we’ve seen some reduction in underage usage, enforcement gaps persist. We are working with platforms to improve age verification and will continue to monitor outcomes closely.”

As the debate evolves, families across the region are left navigating a patchwork of rules. In Malaysia, parents and educators are increasingly calling for clearer guidance. “We need a coordinated approach that protects children without isolating them from digital tools they need for the future,” said a parent from Johor Bahru.

With enforcement still uneven and workarounds common, the long-term success of Australia’s ban remains uncertain. For policymakers in Malaysia and beyond, the challenge is clear: how to protect youth without stifling their digital participation. The answers may lie not in prohibition alone, but in smarter verification, stronger partnerships between regulators and platforms, and a shared commitment to child safety in an increasingly connected world.

Related: Meta · Kuala Lumpur