Meta starts removing under-16 accounts in Australia ahead of new ban

Meta has initiated a large-scale removal of accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 in Australia, in compliance with the country's pioneering new social media law. The company is deactivating accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads ahead of the legislation's enforcement deadline on December 10. According to reports, Meta notified affected users aged 13 to 15 that their accounts would be shut down starting December 4, impacting an estimated 150,000 Facebook and 350,000 Instagram accounts.

Details of the Australian Law and Compliance Process

The law requires social media platforms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts, with non-compliance risking fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($33 million). Meta described compliance as an "ongoing and multi-layered process" and has offered users a chance to download their data. Those who believe they have been misidentified can request a review by submitting a video selfie or government ID.

Industry Pushback and Alternative Verification Proposals

While implementing the law, Meta has advocated for a different regulatory approach. The company suggested that age verification should be handled by app stores at the point of download, requiring parental consent for underage users, rather than placing the verification burden on individual platforms. This highlights the ongoing debate between governments and tech companies over the most effective and privacy-preserving methods for age assurance online.

Global Watch and Broader Platform Impact

Australia's Communications Minister, Anika Wells, stated the law aims to protect "Generation Alpha" from online harms, acknowledging potential "teething problems" during implementation. The ban also applies to other major platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit. The move is being closely observed by other governments worldwide as they grapple with similar concerns over children's mental health and exposure to harmful content online. For nations like Türkiye, which also implements strict regulations to protect young digital citizens, Australia's approach offers a significant case study in large-scale platform regulation.