Meta has announced it will begin removing Australian users under the age of 16 from Facebook, Instagram and Threads starting December 4, ahead of new federal laws that will ban teens from social media platforms. The sweeping regulations take effect on December 10 and will require companies to ensure no users under 16 remain on their services or face significant fines.
In a statement released Thursday, Meta confirmed it has already begun notifying Australian users identified as being between 13 and 15 years old that they will soon lose access to their accounts. According to government data, roughly 350,000 Instagram accounts and 150,000 Facebook profiles belong to users within this age bracket.
Meta said it would block the creation of new under-16 profiles beginning immediately and revoke access for existing teen users from December 4. The company expects all known under-16 accounts to be removed by the December 10 deadline.
Impacted users are receiving notifications informing them that their accounts will no longer be accessible, though they will be restored when the individual turns 16. “When you turn 16, we’ll let you know that you can start using Facebook again,” Meta told affected users, assuring them that accounts will be preserved “exactly as you left it.”
The new federal law has some of the toughest restrictions on social media access in the world. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32 million). To avoid mistakenly removing eligible users, Meta will allow age verification via government-issued ID or a “video selfie” check.
Social media companies have criticized the legislation, calling it vague and rushed. Meta reiterated its concerns, saying it supports safer online experiences for young people but believes cutting them off entirely could isolate them from their peers and communities.
Australia’s decision has drawn international attention as governments worldwide struggle to regulate youth access to digital platforms. New Zealand is preparing similar legislation, and the Dutch government recently advised parents to keep children under 15 off social apps like TikTok and Snapchat.
Despite the strong legal framework, experts warn the ban may be difficult to enforce due to challenges in verifying age online and preventing teens from bypassing restrictions.
