Melbourne, El Sky News – Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, will begin deactivating and blocking accounts of Australian users under the age of 16. This follows Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which requires social media platforms to restrict access for users under 16, effective 10 December 2025
Key Details of Meta’s Action
- From 4 December 2025, Meta will start deactivating Instagram and Facebook accounts of users aged 13–15, and will block any new under-16 sign-ups.
- Affected users will be notified through in-app messages, SMS, and email, giving them a 14-day window to download or save their data before account removal.
- Users flagged incorrectly can appeal through age verification using a third-party service (Yoti), either with government ID or a video selfie.
- Once these users turn 16, they can regain full access to their accounts, with all posts, photos, and messages restored.
Reasoning and Legal Framework
- This law is the first of its kind globally, mandating social media platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16 users from accessing certain apps.
- Platforms that fail to comply face fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately US$32 million).
- Meta will apply a data minimisation approach, only requesting further age verification when there is reasonable doubt about a user’s declared age.
Challenges and Concerns
- Age verification tools like Yoti may have error margins, particularly for users near the 16-year threshold.
- Some experts argue that full account removal may drive under-16 users to less-regulated or riskier online platforms.
- Meta has acknowledged the need for safe, age-appropriate online experiences, but cautioned that completely cutting off teens may not be the ideal solution.
Impact on Young Australians
- Approximately 350,000 Instagram users and 150,000 Facebook accounts in Australia belong to people aged 13–15.
- Affected users are advised to export their posts, messages, and photos before losing access.
- Meta encourages users to update their contact information to receive notifications when they turn 16 and regain account access.
Meta’s action marks one of the first major corporate responses to Australia’s world-first social media age restriction law. While the regulation aims to protect children online, it also raises questions around privacy, age verification, and balancing safety with freedom of access.
