Meta begins removing Australian kids from Instagram and Facebook

Meta has started deactivating accounts of Australian users under the age of 16 across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, ahead of the country's official teen social media ban. The company had informed users aged 13 to 15 last month that their accounts would be disabled starting December 4.

It is estimated that around 150,000 Facebook profiles and 350,000 Instagram accounts will be impacted. Threads, which requires an Instagram account for access, is included in the removal.

The new Australian law, effective December 10, imposes fines up to A$49.5 million (US$33 million) for platforms that fail to take sufficient measures to prevent under-16s from maintaining accounts. A Meta spokesperson described compliance as "an ongoing and multi-layered process" and called for a standardized, privacy-focused method to verify age across app stores, including mandatory parental consent for users under 16.

Meta has allowed affected users to download and save their posts, videos, and messages before accounts are deactivated. Teens who believe their age was incorrectly identified can request a review, submitting either a "video selfie," a drivers license, or other government-issued ID for verification.

The ban also affects other major social media platforms, including YouTube, X, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch. The government emphasizes the law is designed to shield children from social media harms, while critics argue it could isolate some users and push them toward less regulated online spaces.

Communications Minister Anika Wells noted that initial challenges are expected but insisted the law is necessary to protect Generation Alphathose under 15and future generations. Wells highlighted concerns over the addictive nature of social media, describing it as a constant "dopamine drip" linked to smartphones and apps.

YouTube, initially exempted, criticized the legislation as "rushed," arguing that banning under-16 users, even with parental controls, may reduce safety on its platform.

Australias social media restriction is the first of its kind globally. A government study earlier this year found that 96% of children aged 1015 use social media, with 70% exposed to harmful content, including violent material, misogyny, and content promoting eating disorders or suicide. One in seven reported grooming attempts, and over half experienced cyberbullying.

Analysis: Meta's Compliance with Australia's Teen Social Media Ban

Meta's recent move to deactivate the accounts of Australian users under the age of 16 marks a significant step in the implementation of the country's new social media restrictions. The company is adhering to the upcoming legislation, which will take effect on December 10, 2023, and aims to protect minors from the potential harms of social media. With approximately 500,000 accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads impacted, this action is part of a broader trend in the industry to comply with stricter age-verification laws worldwide.

While Meta has acknowledged the complexity of the process, emphasizing its "ongoing and multi-layered" approach to compliance, the company faces considerable backlash. Critics argue that such measures might isolate teens, pushing them into less regulated digital environments where they could be at greater risk. This concern is compounded by the fact that several other major platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, are also affected by the law, raising questions about its overall effectiveness and unintended consequences.

At the heart of this issue is the debate over how best to balance child protection with access to social media. Communications Minister Anika Wells, who supports the legislation, argues that the addictive nature of social media platforms—coupled with the potential for exposure to harmful content—warrants these drastic measures. However, as Meta points out, more standardized and privacy-conscious methods of age verification, such as mandatory parental consent, could provide a more flexible and user-friendly approach to safeguarding minors online.

In conclusion, while Australia's new social media law is a bold and pioneering step in addressing the risks faced by younger internet users, it raises important questions about how to protect children without restricting their online presence or pushing them into less regulated digital spaces. The debate is far from over, and its global implications will continue to unfold in the coming years.

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• Meta starts kicking Australian children off Instagram and Facebook