Meta Removes Under-16 Users ahead of Australia Ban
04th Dec. 2025
Meta has started removing users under the age of 16 from Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Threads. As Australia prepared to enforce its world-first nationwide age restriction for using social media. The action comes a week before the law takes effect on December 10, and it could impact an estimated 500,000 accounts across the tech giant’s platforms. Under the law, companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to block users under 16 will face fines of up to Aus $49.5m (US$33m).
The social media Giant confirmed that it has already notified the affected teenagers last month. Explaining that accounts of users between 13 and 15 will shut down from 04 December. Additionally, Threads users will also lose access because the platform requires an active Instagram account. Although Meta says it is working to comply, the company argues the government should use a more standardized and privacy-oriented system.
Meta Proposes App Store Age Verification Amid Ban
A Meta spokesperson told the BBC that implementation will be “an ongoing and multi-layered process”. At the same time, she stressed that app stores should verify users’ ages at the point of download and also ask for parental approval. This approach, she added, would reduce repetition and ensure more consistent checks across platforms. Meta said, teenagers identified as underage can save their posts, videos, and messages before their accounts are deactivated.
In addition, users who believe that they have been wrongly categorized can request a review and verify their age through a video selfie or government-issued ID. The ban does not stop with Meta. YouTube, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch are also required to block under-16 users. While the government says the law aims to protect children from exposure to harmful content, critics warn that it may isolate vulnerable teens or push them towards less-regulated online spaces.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said on Wednesday that early implementation of this ban may bring challenges for some time. However, she also argued that this move is essential to safeguard Gen Alpha and future generations. She further said, “With one law, we protect future generations and target ‘predatory algorithms’ and the ‘dopamine drip’ effect that keeps young users locked into social feeds”.
YouTube, which was initially exempt, has now been added to the list of banned platforms. As a result, the company criticized the legislation as “rushed” and warned that banning children from supervised accounts could make the platform less safe.
Furthermore, the government commissioned research earlier this year that showed 96% of children aged 10 to 15 used social media. It also revealed that most had encountered harmful content, while more than half reported cyberbullying. Apart from this, one in seven experienced grooming-type behaviour from adults.
Web Resources on Social Media Ban in Australia
1. UNICEF.org.au: Social Media Ban in Australia
2. Reuters.com: Australia says the world will follow social media ban as Meta starts blocking teens
3. BBC.com: Australia is banning social media for kids under 16. How will it work?
4. Bloomberg.com: Social Media Ban in Australia