Meta ready to block accounts of Australian teenagers in bid to abide by "world's first" laws

Australian Facebook and Instagram users under the age of 16 are being notified that their accounts will be deactivated by December 10, as Meta begins complying with the Albanese government’s social media ban.

The ban applies to several social media platforms and affects Meta's Facebook, Instagram and Threads services— the latter requiring an Instagram account to function. While the messaging app Messenger is exempt, Australian media outlet Arise notes that Meta has needed to create a way for users to keep accessing Messenger without maintaining a Facebook account.

Affected users will receive 14 days’ notice before their accounts are deactivated, delivered through in-app alerts, email, and SMS.

Teenagers whose accounts are being shut down can download and save their posts, messages, and Reels. They will regain access once they turn 16, or they may choose to delete their accounts permanently.

“When you turn 16, and can access our apps again, all your content will be available exactly as you left it,” said Mia Garlick, Meta’s regional policy director.

Meta is the first tech company to outline how it will comply with the Australian ban ahead of the 10 December deadline. Along with Meta’s platforms, TikTok, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit and Kick are also subject to the new rules, which come into effect next month.

Other companies are expected to announce their plans in the coming weeks. TikTok and Snapchat have confirmed they will comply, while YouTube argues it should be excluded from the ban and has not yet clarified whether it will follow the law.

The company has previously signalled it might pursue legal action but has taken no steps so far. Elon Musk’s X platform has also voiced opposition and has yet to state whether it will comply.

The ban, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described as “world-leading”, is intended to ease online pressures on young people and “let kids be kids”. Social media firms that fail to take reasonable steps to block under-16 users face fines of up to AUD$50 million (approximately $32 million).

Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said the ban aims to protect young people from the risks and pressures of social media use. In an effort to avoid being included in the ban, gaming platform Roblox recently introduced new safeguards preventing users under 16 from chatting with adult strangers.

Mandatory age checks for chat functions will roll out first in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands in December before being expanded worldwide in January.

By Nazrin Sadigova