Meta begins deactivating Australian children on Instagram, Facebook

Meta has started deactivating accounts of Australian children under 16 on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, a week before the country’s landmark social media ban comes into effect.

The company began notifying users aged 13 to 15 last month that their accounts would be shut down from 4 December. Approximately 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 Instagram accounts are expected to be affected. Threads, Meta’s platform similar to X, can only be accessed via Instagram accounts.

Australia’s ban, set to start on 10 December, imposes fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$33 million, £25 million) on companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from holding accounts.

A Meta spokesperson told the BBC that compliance with the law would be “an ongoing and multi-layered process” and called for a more standardized, privacy-preserving approach. The company suggested app stores verify users’ ages and require parental approval for under-16s to download apps, reducing the need for teens to verify their age across multiple platforms.

Under the new rules, affected users can download and save posts, videos, and messages before accounts are deactivated. Teens who believe they were wrongly flagged can request a review by submitting a “video selfie” or government-issued ID.

The ban also affects platforms including YouTube, X, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch. While the government says the move is designed to protect children from social media harms, critics warn it may isolate vulnerable groups and push children toward less-regulated online spaces.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the law aims to shield Generation Alpha from predatory algorithms and a constant “dopamine drip” linked to social media use. Authorities are monitoring other apps like Lemon8 and Yope to ensure compliance.

A recent government study found 96% of Australian children aged 10–15 use social media, with many exposed to harmful content, cyberbullying, or grooming-type behavior. Australia’s ban is the first of its kind and is drawing global attention.