Meta to block teen users in Australia ahead of social media ban

Meta will block all Australian users under the age of 16 from accessing Instagram, Facebook and Threads by 10 December, as the company moves to comply with a sweeping new law that bans minors from using major social media platforms.

The ban, which passed the Australian Parliament in November of 2024 is the first of its kind globally, requiring platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram to take “reasonable steps” to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts.

Companies that fail to meet the requirements face fines of up $33 million.

Meta said it has already begun notifying users it believes are between 13 and 15 years old that their accounts will be shut down. Alerts are being sent through in-app messages, emails and text messages.

Beginning 4 December, the company will start deactivating accounts and blocking new sign-ups from anyone under 16.

The company told lawmakers earlier it would act only once the law took effect, but on Thursday confirmed that age-screening efforts were already underway. Meta said it will use several age-assurance methods to identify minors and will follow a “data minimisation approach,” only seeking additional information when it doubts a user’s stated age.

Australia’s e-safety regulator estimates there are around 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 Instagram users aged 13 to 15 in the country, though no figures have been published for Threads.

Meta said affected teenagers can update their contact details to receive notifications once they turn 16, download their data or delete their accounts.

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