Meta to Deactivate Instagram, Facebook, and Threads Accounts for Australian Teens

Meta Prepares to Shut Accounts of Australian Teens Ahead of Social Media Age Ban

Meta has begun notifying Australian users aged 13 to 15 that their Instagram, Facebook, and Threads accounts will be deactivated from 4 December. The move aligns with the country’s new law banning social media access for under-16s, which takes effect on 10 December.

Australian Social Media Age Ban

Australia is set to enforce a world-first ban restricting social media use for children under 16. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the measure as aimed at “letting kids be kids,” emphasizing protection from online pressures. Platforms affected include Instagram, Facebook, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Snapchat, and Kick.

The country’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, highlighted that the ban seeks to shield teenagers from risks associated with online interactions, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and social pressure.

Meta’s Compliance Measures

Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, has started informing affected users via text, email, and in-app notifications. Accounts for teens aged 13 to 15 will begin deactivation from 4 December, ahead of the official ban.

The company is encouraging young users to update contact information to receive alerts when they become eligible to reopen accounts. Meta also allows users to download and save their posts, messages, and media before accounts are disabled.

Age Verification Options

To contest the restriction, teens can verify their age through several methods. These include submitting a “video selfie” for facial age scans, or providing government-issued identification such as a driver’s license.

These verification procedures were evaluated by the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS), which found that while each method has benefits, no single approach is universally effective. Meta stressed that compliance will be an ongoing, multi-layered process, acknowledging that teenagers may attempt to bypass age restrictions.

Antigone Davis, Meta’s vice-president and global head of safety, told Reuters Financial, “While we are working hard to remove all users we understand to be under 16 by 10 December, ensuring compliance with the law is a continuous process.”

Legal and Financial Implications

Social media companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to block under-16 users face fines of up to A$50 million (£25 million). Meta has publicly called for legislation that would allow under-16s to access social media only with parental approval, emphasizing the importance of safe and responsible usage.

Industry Reactions and Adaptations

While Meta has voiced concerns over the ban, the company confirmed it will comply. Other platforms are also adjusting their policies. For example, gaming platform Roblox announced that children under 16 will no longer be able to chat with adult strangers. Mandatory age checks for chat features will be implemented from December in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, with global rollout beginning in January.

Platforms Affected and Exempted

The eSafety Commissioner has clarified which services fall under the age ban:

Included: Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube.

Excluded: Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, LEGO Play, Messenger, Roblox, Steam and Steam Chat, WhatsApp, YouTube Kids.

Preparing Australian Teens

Meta is guiding affected users on steps to preserve their content and navigate the upcoming changes. The company emphasized the importance of safe social media engagement while complying with the legislation, signaling the need for digital literacy and parental supervision.

The implementation of Australia’s social media age ban marks a significant precedent in online regulation, potentially influencing policy approaches worldwide.