Meta has shut down approximately 550,000 user accounts to comply with Australia's groundbreaking under-16 social media ban, which came into effect on December 10. This includes 330,000 Instagram, 173,000 Facebook, and 40,000 Threads accounts identified as belonging to underage users. The law requires ten major platforms to verify user ages or face fines up to $AUD 49.5 million ($33 million).

Affected platforms include TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit, and Twitch.Meta expressed concerns about age verification online, citing a lack of industry standards and inconsistent compliance from teens and parents. Despite opposing the ban due to potential harm from reduced teen access to supportive online communities, Meta's actions show significant business impact. Other platforms are also pushing back, with Reddit filing a lawsuit arguing it shouldn't be classified as social media.

The ban's global implications raise questions about balancing child safety with digital rights and platform responsibility.