Tech giant Meta announced on Nov. 25 that it will phase out access to Facebook, Instagram and other platforms for Australian users under 16 starting Dec. 4, with all relevant accounts fully removed by Dec. 10 — a move to comply with Australia’s upcoming nationwide ban on minors using social media. Australian authorities in Canberra are rolling out a social media ban for minors, set to take effect Dec. 10. Under the rule, platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok must forcibly remove under-16 Australian users; noncompliance will result in massive fines. Government data shows that among Australia’s 13-to-15-year-old demographic, there are roughly 350,000 Instagram users and 150,000 Facebook accounts — groups directly impacted by the measure

Meta to Remove Under-16 Australian Users From Platforms Starting Dec. 4, Complying With National Social Media Ban for Teens
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Phased Shutdown & Account Reinstatement Rules

Meta laid out its execution timeline in a statement: As of Nov. 25, it has begun notifying 13-to-15-year-old Australian users that they will lose access to Instagram, Threads and Facebook. Starting Dec. 4, the platform will block new sign-ups from under-16 users and revoke access to existing accounts, with all known under-16 profiles scheduled for removal by Dec. 10.For affected users, Meta clarified follow-up protocols: Once a user turns 16, they can regain access to their accounts “exactly as they left them.” If an account is incorrectly flagged as belonging to a minor, users can verify their age via “video selfies” or government-issued identification documents

A Gap Between Platform and Government Priorities

While Meta stated it “aligns with the Australian government’s goal of creating a safe online experience for teens,” social media companies (including Meta) previously criticized the law as “vague,” “problematic” and “rushed.” In its Nov. 25 statement, Meta reaffirmed its concerns: “Cutting teens off from their friends and communities isn’t a reasonable solution to building a safe online environment.

Australia’s Move as a Global Regulatory Benchmark

Australia’s sweeping restrictions are drawing attention from regulatory bodies worldwide — as countries increasingly grapple with social media risks to minors. For example, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed plans to introduce similar legislation limiting children’s social media use. The real-world outcomes of Australia’s measure could serve as a practical reference for regulatory policies in other regions