Meta to Remove Under-16 Australians from Facebook, Instagram

AFP/APP

Sydney: Meta will remove all Australian users under the age of 16 from Facebook and Instagram starting December 4, ahead of sweeping national laws that will ban teens from using social media from December 10.

Under the new rules, platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok must delete accounts belonging to users under 16 or face significant penalties.

In a statement, Meta said it had begun contacting affected users.

“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.

The tech giant will block the creation of new under-16 accounts and revoke existing access from December 4, with the aim of removing all known under-16 users by December 10.

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Government estimates suggest there are about 350,000 Australian Instagram users and 150,000 Facebook users aged 13–15.

Impacted teenagers have begun receiving messages informing them of impending account lockouts: “Soon, you’ll no longer be able to use Facebook and your profile won’t be visible to you or others. When you turn 16, we’ll let you know that you can start using Facebook again.”

Meta said teens will regain access “exactly as you left it” upon turning 16.

– Hefty fines –

Accounts mistakenly flagged as underage will be allowed to verify age through a “video selfie” or government-issued ID.

Social media companies have criticised the legislation as “vague”, “problematic” and “rushed”. Meta reiterated its concerns on 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.”

The world is watching closely as Australia enforces one of the world’s strictest online age-restriction regimes. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to introduce similar legislation, while the Dutch government has advised parents to bar children under 15 from apps like TikTok and Snapchat.

Companies found violating the new Australian rules face fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million).

Despite the tough penalties, experts warn enforcement could prove largely symbolic given the challenges of online age verification.