In a significant move for digital regulation, Meta has initiated the process of removing users under the age of 16 from its platforms in Australia. This action comes ahead of the country's new youth social media ban, which mandates major platforms to block underage users by December 10, 2025.
Details of the Australian Social Media Ban
The Australian government now requires major social media and video platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, to implement blocks for users under 16. Companies failing to take "reasonable steps" to comply face the threat of substantial fines. A spokesperson for Meta confirmed the company is working to identify and remove all users under 16 before the deadline, describing their compliance efforts as "ongoing and multi-layered."
Young users affected by the removal will have the opportunity to save and download their online histories. Meta has stated that these users will regain access to their accounts and have their content restored once they turn 16. The scale of this ban is considerable, with Instagram alone reporting approximately 350,000 users in Australia aged between 13 and 15. Hundreds of thousands of adolescents are expected to be impacted.
Platform Responses and Legal Challenges
While Meta expressed support for the law's intent, it urged the Australian government to shift primary responsibility for age verification to app stores. The company argued that having app stores verify age and obtain parental consent when users under 16 download apps would be more efficient than requiring teens to verify their age across multiple platforms individually.
Other platforms have voiced criticism. YouTube stated the ban might make young Australians "less safe," arguing that under-16s could still access the site without an account but would lose protective safety filters. Australia's Communications Minister dismissed this argument as "weird," asserting that platforms must address unsafe content on their own services.
The minister highlighted tragic cases where teens had taken their own lives after being targeted with harmful online content that exploited their insecurities. The law aims to create a safer online environment, even if it cannot solve every problem. However, the legislation faces a legal challenge from an internet rights group, which claims it constitutes an unfair restriction on free speech.
Global Implications and Enforcement Realities
Authorities acknowledge that many teenagers will likely attempt to bypass the rules using fake IDs or AI-altered photos. Regulators admit that no age verification system will be fully effective, but the law represents a major step toward accountability.
The world is watching Australia's experiment closely. Malaysia plans to introduce a similar under-16 social media restriction next year, and New Zealand is preparing its own version of a ban. This suggests a potential global shift in how nations regulate youth access to social media. Notably, some platforms including Roblox, Pinterest, and WhatsApp are currently exempt from the Australian rules, though that list is subject to change.
This development marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate about children's safety, privacy, and access in the digital age, setting a precedent other governments may soon follow.
