Meta Begins Deactivating Accounts of Australian Users Under 16
On Thursday, Meta announced that it had started the process of deactivating Instagram and Facebook accounts for Australian users under the age of 16, as part of new regulations aimed at social media usage in the country.
A new law in Australia, effective December 10, 2024, mandates that major social media platforms must block access to users under 16, with significant fines for non-compliance.
Reports indicate that back in November, Meta informed users aged 13 to 15 that their accounts would be closed in line with this legislation. As various outlets highlighted, the deactivation began on Thursday, just ahead of the approaching deadline.
A spokesperson for Meta stated, “We are working hard to remove all users who we understand are under the age of 16 by December 10th, but compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process.”
Furthermore, the spokesperson mentioned that those under 16 can still save and download their content from Instagram and Facebook. They reassured these users that once they turn 16, they will be able to access their accounts again with all their content intact.
Reports estimated that in February, around 150,000 Facebook accounts and 350,000 Instagram accounts belonged to Australian users aged 13 to 15. This law will also apply to Meta’s Threads service, which requires an Instagram account for access.
Other social media and streaming platforms affected by this legislation include TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and Twitch, among others.
For teens who believe their access was mistakenly revoked, there is an option to request a “verification,” potentially involving submitting a selfie video for age confirmation or providing a government-issued ID.
Australian Communications Minister Annika Wells pointed out that the law aims to shield younger users from harmful algorithms, alluding to potential initial challenges during its rollout.
Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, referred to these new laws as a significant step and expressed confidence that more countries would adopt similar measures in the future.
Inman Grant noted, “We have reached a tipping point,” emphasizing the necessity of safeguarding children from manipulative online practices. Meanwhile, Meta has communicated its commitment to comply with the forthcoming laws but has voiced concerns regarding the approach taken. They suggested that legislation could empower parents to manage app access instead.
