In response to Australia’s newly implemented social media regulations for children under 16, Meta has taken sweeping enforcement action across its platforms. The company revealed that between December 4 and December 11, it removed nearly 550,000 accounts from Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, identifying them as belonging to users below the permitted age.
Despite this large-scale removal, Meta has cautioned the Australian government that a blanket social media ban for teenagers may not be an effective long-term solution for ensuring child safety online.
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Teens shifting to alternative apps and VPN usage
Meta informed lawmakers that children are not abandoning the internet but are instead migrating to apps that fall outside the new law’s scope. According to the company, teens are increasingly using platforms such as Discord, Lemon-8, and Yopp.
In addition, many under-16 users are reportedly bypassing restrictions by accessing social media through VPN services or their parents’ accounts. Meta described this as a “cat-and-mouse game,” where enforcement on one platform simply pushes young users toward another.
Meta proposes age verification at app stores
Rather than enforcing bans separately across every social platform, Meta suggested that age checks should take place at the point of app download — primarily through app stores.
The company stated that, in partnership with the OpenAge Initiative, it has developed an “Age Keys” tool. This technology allows platforms to verify user age through government-issued identification, financial credentials, or facial age estimation, while still maintaining user privacy.
Government backs the law; Reddit challenges it
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the new law, saying it is intended to protect children’s wellbeing and return control to parents. The country’s e-Safety Commissioner has also expressed strong support for the ban.
However, not all platforms are aligned with Meta’s approach. Reddit has launched a legal challenge against the regulation, arguing that the ban is not only ineffective but also restricts young people’s rights to political participation and online expression.
Australia’s social media restrictions for minors have triggered a fresh global debate over digital safety, privacy, and the responsibilities of technology companies. While Meta has complied with the law, it has urged policymakers to adopt more practical and privacy-conscious solutions for protecting young users in the evolving digital landscape.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
