Meta will block access to Facebook and Instagram for Australians aged 13-15, starting December 4, ahead of a new law requiring social media companies to verify users’ ages.
The Australian government’s sweeping ban on social media use for children under 16 has raised concerns among young people and advocates about the impact on their mental health and access to information. Meta will remove teenagers and children from its platforms before December 10.
Around 350,000 Instagram users aged between 13-15 in Australia and around 150,000 Facebook accounts are expected to be affected by the ban. Social media companies like Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube may also be impacted.
Critics argue that the law was rushed through without addressing concerns about privacy and young people’s online safety. Some experts warn that the new rules could create a “far greater, systemic risk” of identity data collection by big tech companies.
The ban comes as regulators worldwide grapple with the mixed dangers and benefits of social media. Similar restrictions are being introduced in other countries, including New Zealand and Indonesia, where governments aim to protect young people from online harm.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/20/meta-sets-date-to-remove-australians-under-16-from-instagram-facebook