Meta Bans Under-16s from Facebook & Instagram Australia

Meta to Block Underage Users in Australia Amid New Social Media Law

meta will begin notifying Australian users aged 13 to 15 this Thursday, November 20, that they will lose access to Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, as the company prepares to comply with upcoming legislation restricting adolescent access to social media.

Meta announced the impending changes in a press release, outlining a phased approach to removing users under the age of 16 from it’s platforms. The move comes ahead of a new Australian law set to take effect on December 10, which aims to protect younger users online but has drawn criticism from the tech giant.

Phased Rollout of Account Restrictions

According to the company release, Meta will begin blocking new accounts registered by individuals under 16 years of age starting december 4. Concurrently, access will be revoked for existing accounts believed to belong to users in that age bracket. By December 10, Meta intends to have removed all known accounts belonging to individuals under the age of 16.

“Meta will begin blocking new accounts under the age of 16 and revoking existing access starting December 4, and plans to remove all known accounts under the age of 16 by December 10,” the company stated.

Did you know? – Australia’s new online safety law requires social media companies to verify user ages. Platforms failing to comply face penalties of up to $7.7 million AUD (approximately $5 million USD).

Access to Accounts Upon Reaching 16

Despite the impending restrictions,Meta has assured users that teenagers will be able to regain access to their accounts once they reach the age of 16.Accounts will be restored “exactly as they left them,” allowing for a seamless return to the platforms.

Australia’s Strict New Regulations

The changes are a direct response to new Australian legislation that will compel social media platforms – including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – to verify user ages and remove those under 16, or face substantial financial penalties.The law represents a significant escalation in efforts to regulate the online experiences of young people.

Pro tip: – Parents can utilize parental control features on devices and apps to monitor and limit their children’s online activity,even outside of social media platforms.

Meta Expresses Concerns Over the Approach

While acknowledging the Australian government’s commitment to online safety, Meta has voiced concerns that the new law is not the optimal solution. “We share the Australian Government’s goal of creating safe, age-appropriate online experiences, but cutting teenagers off from their friends and communities is not the solution,” a company spokesperson argued.

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between protecting vulnerable users and preserving access to online communities, a challenge facing lawmakers and tech companies globally.

Reader question: – Do you think entirely blocking underage users is the best way to protect them online, or are there choice approaches that could be more effective?

Why: Meta is blocking underage users in Australia due to new legislation aimed at protecting younger users online.The Australian government passed a law requiring social media platforms to verify user ages and remove those under 16,or face significant financial penalties.

Who: The changes affect Australian users aged 13 to 15 on Meta’s platforms: Instagram, Threads, and facebook. Meta, TikTok, and other social media companies are compelled to comply with the new law.

What: Meta will block new accounts from users under 16 starting December 4th, revoke access to existing accounts in that age group, and aim to remove all known underage accounts by December 10th. Users will be able to regain access upon turning 16, with their accounts restored as they were.

How did it end?: The implementation of the law is ongoing. Meta is