Meta stated that it will begin eradicating youngsters from its platforms forward of the ban coming into drive. | Photo Credit: Reuters
From December 10, Australia will drive social media platforms, together with Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to take away customers below the age of 16 or face hefty fines.
Meta stated that it will begin eradicating youngsters from its platforms forward of the ban coming into drive.
“From today, Meta will be notifying Australian users it understands to be aged 13-15 that they will lose access to Instagram, Threads and Facebook,” Meta stated in a press release.
“Meta will begin blocking new under-16 accounts and revoking existing access from 4 December, expecting to remove all known under-16s by 10 December.”
There are round 3,50,000 Instagram customers aged between 13-15 in Australia and round 1,50,000 Facebook accounts, in line with authorities figures.
Meta has began warning impacted customers that they’ll quickly be locked out.
“Soon, you’ll no longer be able to use Facebook and your profile won’t be visible to you or others,” reads a message despatched to impacted customers.
“When you flip 16, we’ll let you recognize that you may begin utilizing Facebook once more.
Teenagers will be capable of entry their accounts “exactly as you left it” as soon as they flip 16, Meta informed them.
Hefty fines
Accounts that have been flagged by mistake might confirm their age utilizing a “video selfie” or by offering government-issued ID.
Social media firms have beforehand described the legal guidelines as “vague”, “problematic” and “rushed”.
Meta once more voiced its issues on Thursday. (November 20, 2025).
“We share the Australian Government’s goal of creating safe, age-appropriate online experiences, but cutting teens off from their friends and communities isn’t the answer.”
There is eager curiosity in whether or not Australia’s sweeping restrictions can work as regulators across the globe wrestle with the hazards of social media.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will introduce the same invoice to limit kids’s social media use.
And the Dutch authorities suggested dad and mom this 12 months to forbid kids below 15 from utilizing social media apps like TikTok and Snapchat.
Social media firms caught flouting the legal guidelines will face fines of as much as AUS$49.5 million (US$32 million).
On paper, the ban is likely one of the strictest on the planet.
But some consultants are involved that the legislation will probably be merely symbolic due to the issue in implementing and policing on-line age verification.
Published – November 20, 2025 05:24 am IST
