Meta has begun notifying thousands of young Australians to download their data and delete accounts ahead of a new social media ban. The law, set to take effect on December 10, will restrict children under 16 from using major social media platforms.
The tech giant sent SMS and email warnings to affected teens starting Thursday. Account access will be limited from December 4, giving young users two weeks to save contacts and memories. Meta also advised updating contact information to regain access once the user turns 16.
The Australian government recently announced that seven platforms—including Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube—must enforce age restrictions for users under 16. Companies failing to comply could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (around $33 million). Meta estimates roughly 500,000 Australians aged 13 to 15 currently use Instagram and Facebook.
Teens flagged incorrectly can verify their age using Yoti Age Verification through a government ID or video selfie. Experts, however, warn that facial recognition technology can have error rates of at least 5%, making verification challenging. Meta’s global head of safety, Antigone Davis, suggested that app stores should handle age verification rather than individual platforms, proposing a standardized, privacy-focused system.
The social media ban has sparked mixed reactions. Dany Elachi from Heaps Up Alliance praised the move, stating it protects children under 16 by encouraging real-world engagement. On the other hand, Mat Tinkler, CEO of Save the Children Australia, argued that instead of a blanket ban, companies should be regulated to incorporate safety measures for young users.
Meta is the first company to outline compliance with the new law, while other platforms are expected to follow suit. The social media ban marks a world-first effort to limit online access for minors, reflecting Australia’s commitment to child safety in the digital space.
Authorities continue to encourage parents and guardians to guide teens during this transition, ensuring compliance while protecting young users’ data and privacy.
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