Australia will soon shut down social media accounts belonging to users under 16, with Meta announcing that it has already begun notifying young teenagers on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. The move comes ahead of the country’s sweeping social media age ban taking effect on 10 December.
Under-16 Social Media Ban Begins 10 December
Meta says it has started sending texts, emails, and in-app alerts to users it believes are between 13 and 15. From 4 December, these accounts will begin to deactivate. The company estimates around 350,000 Instagram users and 150,000 Facebook users in Australia fall within the affected age bracket.
The ban also applies to TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Threads and Kick. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the measure as “world-leading” and aimed at “letting kids be kids”.
Meta’s Compliance and Age-Check Measures
Despite opposing the policy, Meta confirmed it will comply. The company is asking young users to update their contact details so they can be notified when they turn 16 and become eligible to rejoin.
Teenagers may challenge their account removal by verifying their age through a video selfie scan, a driver’s licence, or other government-issued ID. These methods were tested by the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme, which found no single method perfectly reliable.
Any platform that fails to take “reasonable steps” to block under-16s could face fines of up to A$50 million.
Restrictions Expand Beyond Meta Platforms
Other major platforms are also responding. Roblox has introduced new safety measures, blocking children under 16 from chatting with adult strangers. Mandatory age checks for chat features begin in December for Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
The e-Safety Commissioner says the ban aims to protect minors from online risks, pressure, and harmful content.
Conclusion
Australia’s under-16 social media ban marks one of the strongest regulatory moves targeting youth safety online. While tech companies warn teens may still attempt to bypass restrictions, the law signals a major shift in how governments enforce digital age limits.
