Instagram owner Meta tells Australian teens accounts will close
3 days ago
- #Meta
- #Australia
- #social media ban
- Meta is notifying Australian teens aged 13-15 that their Instagram, Facebook, and Threads accounts will be deactivated starting December 4 ahead of Australia's social media ban for under-16s.
- The ban, effective December 10, applies to platforms like TikTok, YouTube, X, and Reddit, aiming to protect teens from online risks.
- Meta estimates 150,000 Facebook and 350,000 Instagram users in Australia are aged 13-15.
- Teens can challenge the restriction via video selfie or government ID, though no single age verification method is foolproof.
- Social media platforms failing to block under-16s face fines up to A$50m (£25m).
- Meta advocates for parental approval laws for under-16s downloading social media apps.
- Roblox will restrict under-16s from chatting with adult strangers to avoid the ban.
- The ban affects Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube, excluding platforms like Discord and WhatsApp.