- Meta has been actively deleting accounts of users under 16 in Australia
- More than 500,000 accounts have been removed from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads
- Meta advocates for improved age verification methods
The repercussions of the Australian government's recent decision to ban under-16s from social media are significant. Meta has shared an update on its compliance efforts while emphasizing the need for better protective measures for teens.
As of December 11, just one day after the ban took effect, Meta reported the removal of 544,052 accounts believed to belong to under-16s across its platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
Those affected were given a 14-day notice period to download their data and inform their contacts about their new whereabouts, as Facebook Messenger remains exempt from the ban.
The Australian government introduced this ban to enhance child safety, citing concerns over excessive screen time, inappropriate adult interactions, and exposure to harmful content such as violence and bullying.
'A Better Way Forward'
In its update, Meta expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of the new ban, stating, "Some of the initial impacts we have seen suggest it is not achieving its goals of enhancing the safety and well-being of young Australians." The company believes that a more effective solution would involve age verification and parental approval at the app store level.
This approach would place the responsibility on companies like Google and Apple to verify user ages. Additionally, Meta is supporting a new initiative called the OpenAge Initiative, aimed at standardizing age verification processes and preventing teens from migrating to less regulated apps that may not adequately verify user ages.
Meta has committed to continuing constructive dialogue with the Australian government to explore better solutions. While not opposed to age verification, the company seeks a more regulated and consistent approach across platforms.
Social media companies are under increasing pressure to take responsibility for user safety. In recent years, Meta has introduced several features aimed at safeguarding younger users online.
