Meta has started shutting down Facebook and Instagram accounts of users under 16 in Australia, as the country's landmark social media ban approaches. The ban, due to take effect on 10 December, will require platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from holding accounts.
From Thursday, Meta began deactivating accounts it believes belong to users under 16, affecting an estimated 150,000 Facebook and 350,000 Instagram accounts. The company also blocked the creation of new accounts for under-16s. A Meta spokesperson said compliance would be an ongoing process, and affected users can preserve their data before deactivation.
Under-16s will also lose access to Threads, which requires an Instagram account. The ban applies to multiple platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit, and YouTube. Companies face fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.
Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged the ban would not be perfect but called it a "treatment plan." The eSafety commissioner will take a graduated approach to enforcement, focusing on platforms with the highest number of underage users.
