Meta begins removing underage users from social media in Australia

Meta announced on Thursday that it has started restricting access for users under 16 in Australia across Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, ahead of the country's unprecedented youth social media legislation.

The new law, effective December 10, mandates major digital platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, to block underage accounts. Companies could face fines up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million) if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to comply.

A Meta spokesperson stated, "We are actively working to remove all accounts we believe belong to users under 16 by December 10, but compliance will be an ongoing, multi-layered process." The company added that young users will be able to download their content before losing access. "Before you turn 16, we will alert you that you can regain access and restore all your content exactly as it was," the spokesperson explained.

The regulation is expected to affect hundreds of thousands of teenagers, with Instagram alone reporting approximately 350,000 Australian users aged 13 to 15. Certain platforms, like Roblox, Pinterest, and WhatsApp, are currently exempt, though the list is subject to change.

Meta emphasized its commitment to following the law but suggested that app stores should play a larger role in verifying age. "App stores should confirm age and obtain parental consent when teens under 16 download apps, reducing the need for repeated age verification across different platforms," the spokesperson said. "Verified age data could then help ensure age-appropriate experiences."

YouTube criticized the legislation, arguing it could make younger Australians less safe by limiting access to safety filters for under-16s, even if they visit the site without an account. Australia's Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed this concern, calling it "weird." She noted that some teens had experienced harm online, including suicide linked to algorithmic content targeting, and said the law aims to give children a safer environment to develop.

Meanwhile, the Digital Freedom Project has filed a High Court challenge against the ban, calling it an "unfair" restriction on free speech. Authorities anticipate that some teens may attempt to bypass the rules by using fake IDs or AI tools to alter their appearance, but the internet safety regulator warned that no method will be completely foolproof.

Author: Lucas Grant