Sydney: Meta has removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts it suspected were being operated by Australians under the age of 16 since the country introduced its world-first social media age restriction, the company said.
Meta remarked that it had deactivated around 462,000 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts between the implementation of the ban in December and June. The figures represent a significant increase from January, when the company reported removing 331,000 Instagram accounts and 173,000 Facebook accounts.
The social media giant said that it would continue strengthening enforcement as Australian authorities consider tougher regulatory action against platforms that fail to comply with the restrictions.
Australia’s internet regulator has been considering legal enforcement against several social media companies, arguing that some platforms have not done enough to prevent children under 16 from accessing their services.
Meta noted that it supports the government’s objective of creating safer, age-appropriate online environments for young people and maintained that it is meeting its legal responsibilities.
However, government data and independent research indicate that more than 80 percent of under-16s remained active on social media during the first three months after the restrictions took effect.
Ban in Australia
The Australian law, which came into force on December 10, was introduced alongside concerns over the impact of social media on children’s physical and mental wellbeing. The country has also moved to increase the maximum penalty for companies that fail to comply to A$99 million ($69.75 million), while giving regulators greater powers to obtain documents.
Representatives from Meta, TikTok, Google and Snap are due to appear before a parliamentary inquiry on August 14 alongside government and regulatory officials. Meta stated that its enforcement efforts are continuing and the number of removed accounts is expected to rise.
Artificial intelligence is being used by the company to identify possible underage users by analysing contextual clues in profiles, including birthday celebrations, references to school grades and reports from other users.
Meta has also restricted users from repeatedly creating new accounts after an earlier account suspected of belonging to someone under 16 has been removed. The developments come as other countries consider introducing similar age restrictions on children’s access to social media.
MOST READ | Organoids offer a human alternative to animal drug testing
