Meta Begins Removing Under-16s From Instagram and Facebook Ahead of Australia’s New Social Media Ban
Meta has begun removing Australian users under the age of 16 from Instagram, Facebook and Threads, days before the country’s groundbreaking social media age ban takes effect.
The tech company started notifying affected users last month, warning that accounts belonging to 13- to 15-year-olds would be deactivated from 4 December. Government estimates suggest around 150,000 Facebook accounts and 350,000 Instagram profiles fall within that age group. Threads, which requires an Instagram login, will also be impacted.
Australia’s new law – the first of its kind globally – comes into force on 10 December. It requires social media companies to take “reasonable steps” to block under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts, with penalties of up to A$49.5m for non-compliance.
A Meta spokesperson told the BBC the company’s approach will involve “ongoing and multi-layered” steps. While the tech giant says it will comply, it has urged the government to shift age verification to app stores, arguing that a single point of verification would reduce the need for children to repeatedly share personal data across multiple platforms.
Meta said teenagers identified as underage will have an opportunity to download their posts, messages and videos before their accounts are shut down. Those who believe they were flagged incorrectly can request a review and provide proof of age through a video selfie or official identification.
The sweeping ban covers major platforms including YouTube, X, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch and Kick. Authorities say the restrictions are intended to shield young people from harmful online content, grooming, predatory algorithms and cyberbullying. Critics, however, warn the move could disconnect vulnerable teens or drive them toward less regulated apps.
Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged the rollout may face challenges but said the law aims to protect Generation Alpha and future children from what she described as a “dopamine drip” engineered by social platforms.
Regulators are also monitoring emerging apps such as Lemon8 and Yope for potential migration by young users. Lemon8 has said it will voluntarily block under-16s, while Yope – which functions more like a private messaging service – argues it does not fall under the ban.
Despite concerns from YouTube, which called the legislation “rushed”, the law is moving ahead as other governments watch its implementation closely. A recent national study found 96% of Australians aged 10 to 15 use social media, with many exposed to violent content, misogyny, self-harm posts and cyberbullying.
