Meta Implements Age Restriction for Users Under 16 as Australia Enforces Groundbreaking Social Media Ban

Meta has begun deactivating hundreds of thousands of accounts in Australia in response to the countrys upcoming enforcement of a groundbreaking law prohibiting social media use for those under 16. The regulation, set to take effect on December 10, imposes fines up to A$49.5 million for platforms that do not comply.

Australias eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, expressed her support for the legislation after initially voicing concerns. She stated that prior incremental measures were insufficient to address harmful design elements inherent in social media platforms. Speaking at the Sydney Dialogue summit, she noted that governments around the world are closely monitoring Australias approach, predicting it will set a precedent for global regulation.

Major platforms including Metas Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, along with TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, have started alerting users under 16 to download their data before their accounts are either frozen or deleted. Currently, about 96% of Australians under 16, totaling over a million young people, are active on social media.

Some parents have welcomed the new law, highlighting potential benefits for childrens mental health. However, the policy has also sparked international political discussions, with U.S. lawmakers seeking testimony from Australias regulatory authorities regarding potential implications for free speech in the United States.

Author: Olivia Parker