Meta Starts Deactivating Australian Teens on Instagram and Facebook Ahead of Ban

Meta has begun removing accounts of Australian teens younger than 16 from its popular social apps, weeks before the country enforces a sweeping new ban. The move targets users on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads as regulators prepare to implement the rule next month.

What’s changing now

Notifications have already gone out to users aged 13 to 15 that their accounts will be shut down, with deletions set to begin in December. Authorities estimate about 150,000 Facebook profiles and 350,000 Instagram accounts will be affected. Threads, the Instagram-linked app, also aligns with the same enforcement framework.

The new law and Meta’s response

Australia’s world-first ban, due to take full effect on December 10, carries penalties up to A$49.5 million for companies that fail to stop under-16s from using these services. A Meta spokesperson told INLIBER that enforcement will be a long, layered effort, and that the company favors a privacy-friendly, standardized approach to compliance.

Meta argues that age verification should be consolidated at the app-store level, with parental consent for under-16s, to avoid teens having to prove their age separately across multiple apps.

Before deactivation, under-16 users can download and preserve their posts, videos, and messages. If a user believes they were misclassified, they can request a review and provide a video selfie or government ID to verify age.

Other platforms and broader impact

In addition to Meta’s apps, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch face the new restrictions. Supporters say the ban protects young people from harmful content, while critics warn it could push some away from mainstream platforms toward less-regulated corners of the internet.

Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged possible early glitches but emphasized the policy’s aim to shield Generation Alpha—children under 15 and their future peers—from harmful online experiences.

She noted ongoing attention on emerging apps such as Lemon8 (developed by the makers of TikTok) and Yope to see whether kids shift to those services after the ban. The eSafety Commissioner has reached out to both apps to assess their status under the rule.

Yope’s chief executive Bahram Ismailau said the platform operates largely as a private messaging service with no public content, limiting concerns about classifying it as a social media site. Lemon8 has indicated it will bar under-16 users starting soon, even though the service was not originally listed in the ban.

YouTube has described the law as rushed and argues that banning accounts with parental controls may inadvertently make the platform less safe, even as it was initially exempt from the policy before being included.

What the data says

Global observers are watching Australia closely as the policy could set a worldwide trend. A government study found that about 96% of Australian children aged 10–15 use social media, and seven in ten have encountered harmful content such as misogynistic material, eating-disorder messages, or content related to self-harm. One in seven reported grooming behavior, and more than half described experiencing cyberbullying.

Expert note: Policy experts say the rollout will test how effectively age checks and privacy protections can work across multiple platforms. Industry observers also warn that implementing changes will take time to refine and optimize the user experience.

Summary

Meta is proactively phasing out teen accounts ahead of Australia’s ban, affecting tens of thousands of users. The move reflects a strong safety stance but raises questions about online isolation and where young people will turn next. Officials expect some initial challenges as the system ramps up enforcement.

Key takeaway: Australia’s bold youth-protection law could shape how platforms verify ages and guard privacy, potentially influencing future global policy. BBC coverage