Meta failed to keep under-13s off Facebook and Instagram: EU
29 Apr 2026

Meta has been accused of violating European Union (EU) laws by failing to keep children under 13 off its Facebook and Instagram platforms.

The European Commission issued this preliminary finding after a nearly two-year-long investigation.

The Commission stated that Meta lacked effective measures to prevent access for users below the age of 13, thereby breaching the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

Meta refutes preliminary findings
Company rebuttal

A Meta spokesperson refuted the preliminary findings, emphasizing that both Instagram and Facebook are designed for users aged 13 and above.

The company claims to have measures in place to detect and remove accounts of those underage.

"We continue to invest in technologies to find and remove underage users," the spokesperson said, adding that more information about upcoming measures would be shared soon.

Potential fines and revenue impact
Legal proceedings

Meta now has the opportunity to review the Commission's investigation file and defend itself.

If the preliminary finding is upheld, Meta could be fined up to 6% of its global annual turnover. In 2025, Meta reported a revenue of $201 billion.

The findings come as governments across Europe consider banning social media for children amid rising concerns over "the tsunami of big tech flooding" people's homes.

Europe's push for social media restrictions for children
Policy debate

Spain is pushing for a social media ban for under-16s to shield children from the "digital wild west."

Meanwhile, French lawmakers have backed similar restrictions for those under 15.

The UK government is also considering "age or functionality restrictions" on social media use by children under 16.

These discussions highlight the growing concern over young users' safety online.

EU Commission's assessment of Meta's age verification measures
Investigation results

The EU Commission found that children under 13 could easily create Facebook or Instagram accounts using a fake birthdate, with no checks on their self-declaration.

Meta's tool for reporting underage use was deemed "difficult to use and not effective," allowing underage users to continue accessing the service.

The Commission's lead official on tech policy, Henna Virkkunen, emphasized that platforms must enforce their own rules to protect users, including children.