Younger Australian teenagers on Instagram, Facebook and Threads are being told their accounts will be shut down ahead of the country's social media ban for under-16s.
Meta, which owns the three brands, said it had begun notifying users it believes to be between 13 and 15 years old by text, email and in-app messages that their accounts would start being deactivated from 4 December.
The ban in Australia comes into force on 10 December and will also affect platforms like TikTok, YouTube, X, and Reddit.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the world-leading ban was aimed at letting kids be kids. Despite opposing the measure, Meta announced its compliance.
Australia's e-Safety Commissioner has estimated there are about 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 teens on Instagram who will be impacted. From 4 December, children under 16 will no longer be allowed to create new accounts on Meta's platforms.
Meta has advised users to update their contact details to be informed when they are eligible to recreate accounts after they turn 16. Young users are also given the option to download their data before account shutdown.
For users contesting their age, Meta offers verification through a video selfie or government-issued IDs, although methods to verify ages remain varied and complex.
Social media platforms failing to adhere to the new regulations risk facing fines up to A$50 million (£25 million). Antigone Davis, Meta’s global head of safety, recognized the challenge of compliance but reassured that they will navigate the obligations diligently.
The directive aims to shield teens from online pressures and risks associated with social media. While Roblox has announced measures to protect young users by restricting messaging capabilities, the broader impact of such legislation on digital engagement remains to be fully assessed.
In summary, as Australia enforces its social media age ban, Meta prepares to shut down accounts of a significant portion of its younger user base, marking a pivotal move in regulating children's access to social media platforms.
