Social media giant Meta has banned hundreds of thousands of user accounts in Australia as it enforces a new national law that prohibits children under 16 from holding social media accounts. The removals follow the introduction of age-based restrictions under amendments to Australia’s online safety legislation, which came into force in December 2025.
Meta said it removed more than 540,000 accounts it believes belonged to users under the age threshold across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The company said most of the affected accounts were on Instagram, reflecting its popularity among younger users. The removals were carried out during the transition period leading up to full enforcement of the law.
The legislation amends Australia’s existing online safety framework and requires major social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts. The rules apply regardless of parental consent and carry potential penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million for companies found to be non-compliant. Other platforms subject to the law include TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, and X.
Meta said it is complying with the law but warned that reliable age verification remains a technical challenge. The company said it supports approaches that place greater responsibility on app stores and operating system providers to verify user age, rather than relying solely on individual platforms to assess age based on self-reported information and behavioural signals.
Australian authorities said the law is intended to reduce exposure of children to online harms, including bullying and harmful content. The government has described the measure as a global first and said enforcement will focus on whether platforms take adequate steps to comply, rather than requiring absolute prevention.
The account bans have prompted debate about the effectiveness of age-based restrictions on social media. Critics have questioned whether young users may find ways to bypass controls, while supporters say the law establishes clearer accountability for platforms and strengthens child protection standards.
Meta said it will continue to adjust its systems as enforcement develops and as guidance from Australian regulators evolves. The company said it will also work with authorities to clarify compliance expectations as the law is applied in practice.