EU Finds Meta Failing to Keep Under-13s Off Facebook, Instagram

European Union regulators have determined that Meta is failing to keep children under 13 off Facebook and Instagram, citing gaps in the company’s age verification and enforcement measures across both platforms. The findings conclude that current systems do not adequately prevent underage users from creating accounts or accessing services that are not intended for children, raising concerns about compliance with EU digital rules and child safety standards. Investigators pointed to weaknesses in how Meta detects and removes accounts belonging to users below the minimum age, as well as insufficient safeguards to limit data collection and exposure to age-inappropriate content for that group. The EU said Meta must strengthen its processes to identify under-13 users more effectively, apply stricter default protections, and demonstrate that its platforms are not accessible to children in violation of existing legislation. The assessment adds to broader regulatory scrutiny of large tech firms over youth online safety, with authorities signaling that further action could follow if Meta does not implement remedial steps to address the deficiencies.