Instagram, Facebook start closing accounts ahead of under-16 ban

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Meta has begun shutting down accounts belonging to users under 16, as Australia’s social media age ban comes into force on 10 December.

Around 500,000 accounts are affected — 150,000 on Facebook and 350,000 on Instagram — based on Meta’s age data. From Thursday, the company is also blocking new sign-ups from under-16s in Australia.

Meta says removing every underage user by the deadline will be “an ongoing process” but confirms affected teens can download their content. Once they turn 16, their accounts can be restored exactly as they were.

Because Threads requires an Instagram login, under-16s will also lose access to that platform.

Last month, Meta notified users it believed were underage and provided an appeals process for those incorrectly identified.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said platforms will be breaking the law if any under-16s still hold accounts after 10 December, though it will take time for age-checking systems to catch every case.

The ban covers Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Kick, Twitch and YouTube. All companies except X and Reddit have confirmed they intend to comply. Platforms could face fines of up to $49.5 million for failing to take reasonable steps to block underage users.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says enforcement will focus first on platforms with the highest share of underage accounts.

Source : Theguardian

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