Tech giant Meta announced on Thursday that it will begin removing Australian users under 16 from Facebook and Instagram on 4 December, ahead of the country’s ground-breaking social media ban that takes effect 10 December.
The move comes as Australia prepares to enforce what experts are calling one of the world’s strictest social media restrictions, requiring platforms to remove teenage users or face fines of up to AUS$49.5 million (approximately R552.2 million).
“From today, Meta will be notifying Australian users it understands to be aged 13-15 that they will lose access to Instagram, Threads and Facebook,” the company said in a statement.
The social media giant plans to “begin blocking new under-16 accounts and revoking existing access from 4 December, expecting to remove all known under-16s by 10 December.”
Hundreds of thousands affected
Government figures indicate approximately 350 000 Instagram users aged 13-15 in Australia will be affected, along with around 150 000 Facebook accounts.
Meta has already begun warning users who will lose access. “Soon, you’ll no longer be able to use Facebook and your profile won’t be visible to you or others,” reads a message being sent to impacted teenagers. “When you turn 16, we’ll let you know that you can start using Facebook again.”
The company assured users they will be able to access their accounts “exactly as you left it” once they reach the minimum age requirement.
Users who believe they have been incorrectly flagged as underage can verify their age through a “video selfie” or by providing government-issued identification.
Social media companies have criticised the legislation as “vague,” “problematic,” and “rushed.” Meta reiterated its concerns Thursday, stating: “We share the Australian Government’s goal of creating safe, age-appropriate online experiences, but cutting teens off from their friends and communities isn’t the answer.”
Global implications
The Australian ban has drawn international attention as regulators worldwide grapple with social media safety concerns. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to introduce similar legislation restricting children’s social media use, while the Dutch government has advised parents to prohibit children under 15 from using apps like TikTok and Snapchat.
Other countries also looking at implementing stricter regulations on children’s use of social media platforms are Denmark, Norway, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland and Singapore.
From 10 December, the new law will apply to all major social media platforms in Australia, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Despite being described as one of the world’s strictest social media bans, some experts question its effectiveness. Concerns centre on the practical difficulties of implementing and policing online age verification systems, leading some to worry the law may prove merely symbolic.
The legislation represents Australia’s bold attempt to address growing concerns about social media’s impact on young people’s mental health and development, setting a potential precedent for similar measures globally.
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