US-based technology company Meta Platforms Inc. has blocked access to 756,000 Instagram and Facebook accounts in Australia as part of a new legal framework restricting social media access for individuals under the age of 16.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing international media reports, the company confirmed that the enforcement action follows comprehensive audits conducted before and after the law's implementation in December 2025. These audits identified 462,000 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts belonging to users under the age threshold.
Meta stated that it is continuously utilizing artificial intelligence-based detection systems to monitor compliance, noting that the number of suspended accounts is expected to rise as enforcement efforts continue.
The legislation, which came into effect in Australia on December 10, 2025, imposes strict age restrictions on 10 major platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Twitch, Threads, and Kick. The Australian government introduced these measures to mitigate the negative impact of algorithms and harmful content on children and adolescents.
Under the new regulations, companies that fail to take necessary measures to remove accounts belonging to users under 16 face significant financial penalties, with potential fines reaching up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.
