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3w ago

Meta Presses Australia to Rethink Under‑16 Social Media Ban After Blocking 544,000 Accounts

Meta says the first‑week removals expose weaknesses in the policy, urging app‑store age checks to prevent teens shifting to other platforms.

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Overview

  • Between December 4 and 11, Meta deactivated 330,639 Instagram, 173,497 Facebook and 39,916 Threads accounts it believes belonged to under‑16s.
  • Meta argues the blanket ban is not improving safety, citing teens’ migration to lesser‑regulated apps, VPN workarounds and logged‑out usage that still serves algorithmic content.
  • The company proposes app‑store level age verification with parental approval to create consistent protections and avoid a whack‑a‑mole chase across new services.
  • Australia’s law took effect on December 10 with penalties up to A$49.5 million and applies to Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Kick.
  • The government says platforms must use their data to keep under‑16s off services, with consolidated removal figures due this week, as Reddit mounts a legal challenge and UK politicians consider similar measures.