Sydney, Australia | January 12, 2026

Tech giant Meta has urged the Australian government to reconsider its world-first social media ban for users under 16, even as it reported blocking over 544,000 accounts under the new law. Since December 10, 2025, platforms including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube are required to prevent underage users from holding accounts. Companies face fines of AU$49.5 million (US$33 million) for failing to take “reasonable steps” to comply.

Meta stated that it has removed 331,000 underage accounts from Instagram, 173,000 from Facebook, and 40,000 from Threads as part of its compliance efforts. However, the company stressed that blanket bans are not the most effective solution and called for a collaborative approach with industry to ensure safe, privacy-preserving, and age-appropriate online experiences.

Highlighting potential risks, Meta warned that the ban could isolate teens from online communities and push them toward less regulated apps or darker corners of the internet. The company suggested requiring app stores to verify ages and obtain parental approval before under-16s can download apps to prevent evasion of the ban.

Meta also announced its involvement in the OpenAge Initiative, a non-profit creating age-verification tools called AgeKeys, to support compliance and safer online interactions for minors. The company acknowledged that implementing the law is a multilayered process and emphasized the need for industry-wide standards to safeguard young Australians effectively.

 Meta Urges Australia to Rethink Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Tech giant Meta has called on the Australian government to reconsider its world-first ban on social media accounts for users under 16. Since December 10, 2025, platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube must block underage users, with fines of AU$49.5 million (US$33 million) for non-compliance. Meta has reported removing over 544,000 accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads to comply with the law.

Meta raised concerns that the blanket ban may isolate teens and push them toward less regulated apps. The company suggested age verification and parental approvals through app stores as a better solution to protect youth while keeping them connected safely online.

The firm emphasized that implementing the law is a complex, multilayered process. Meta urged the government to collaborate with the tech industry to create safe, age-appropriate online experiences instead of relying solely on strict bans. The company also highlighted its OpenAge Initiative and AgeKeys tools to ensure compliance.

Meta warned that the current approach may drive minors toward riskier corners of the internet, and called for a balanced strategy that safeguards teens without cutting them off from online communities.