Australia: Meta will bar Australians under the age of 16 from accessing Facebook and Instagram starting December 4, ahead of a strict nationwide social media ban coming into force on December 10.
The move marks one of the major attempts yet by any country to curb children’s access to major platforms, triggering a wave of concern from young people, parents, and digital rights advocates.
Platforms Begin Locking Out Teens
Meta says it has already begun notifying users it believes are aged between 13 and 15 that they will soon lose access to Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The company expects to fully block new underage sign-ups and revoke existing access by December 10.
Government estimates indicate that Australia has around 350,000 Instagram users and approximately 150,000 Facebook users in the 13- to 15-year-old age group. Impacted accounts have started receiving alerts telling them they will soon be unable to use their profiles and that access will only be restored once they turn 16.
The new law carries penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for social media companies that fail to comply. It applies not only to Meta’s platforms but also to TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, X, YouTube, and other similar platforms.
Concerns Over Access to Information
The ban has sparked a strong backlash from young Australians who say it cuts them off from crucial news, community engagement, and support networks.
Senator David Shoebridge also voiced alarm, warning that about 2.4 million young people could be removed from their accounts just as the summer holidays begin. He raised concerns about the potential impact on mental health and the lack of clear answers on how companies will verify users’ ages.
Digital rights groups say the policy could push platforms to collect more sensitive information from both children and adults. John Pane of Electronic Frontiers Australia said the law risks creating a large pool of identity data, increasing exposure to breaches, and strengthening the power of big tech companies.
Because most under-16s do not have government-issued identification, some platforms are preparing age checks that require users to record videos of themselves, raising additional privacy concerns.
Many countries watch Australia’s rollout as they weigh similar measures. New Zealand’s prime minister has announced plans for comparable legislation, while Indonesia is developing rules aimed at shielding young people from online harms. In Europe, the Dutch government has advised parents not to allow children under 15 to use apps such as TikTok and Snapchat.
