Meta has removed 756,000 suspected Australian teen accounts as the country tightens its under-16 social media ban. The company removed the accounts between December 2025 and June 2026 across Instagram and Facebook.
The move comes as Australia prepares tougher action against platforms that fail to follow the ban. Meta used artificial intelligence to find suspected underage users through profile details, posts, comments, school references, and other clues.
Meta removed 462,000 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts during the period. The number has increased from 504,000 accounts reported by Meta in January.
The Australian social media ban started on December 10, 2025, and targets users below 16 years. The government introduced the rules to reduce risks linked to social media use among children.
Meta said its enforcement work will continue as Australian regulators examine platform compliance. The company also expects the number of removed accounts to increase further.
“Enforcement is ongoing, and these numbers will continue to grow,” Meta said in a statement.
Meta also said it supports safer online experiences for young people and continues meeting its legal duties in Australia.
Australian regulators are considering stronger action against platforms over compliance concerns. The government has also moved to increase the maximum penalty for violations to A$99 million.
Meta's AI system checks profiles for signs suggesting an account belongs to someone under 16. The company also reviews reports about suspected underage accounts.
The issue will receive more attention on Friday, when Meta, TikTok, Google, and Snap representatives appear before an Australian parliamentary inquiry.
The hearing could bring fresh focus on age verification, privacy concerns, and ways teenagers bypass social media restrictions.