Meta Shuts Down 750,000 Facebook and Instagram Accounts in Australia

ARK News.. Meta has shut down more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australian users under the age of 16, following the introduction of the world’s first social media ban targeting minors.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said on Thursday, August 13, 2026, that it had deactivated more than 750,000 accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16 since the restrictions came into effect, while pledging to take further measures to avoid potential regulatory intervention.

The company said it had disabled 462,000 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts between the period leading up to the implementation of Australia’s social media restrictions in December and June. This compares with the 331,000 Instagram accounts and 173,000 Facebook accounts it said had been removed by January.

As other countries around the world consider introducing similar age restrictions, Australia has accused social media platforms of deliberately undermining the ban.

Australia has also passed legislation that doubles the maximum penalty for non-compliance to A$99 million (US$69.75 million) and gives the regulator broader powers to access relevant documents.

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