Australian users under 16, who use Facebook and Instagram, will receive a 14-day warning before their accounts are deactivated by December 10. This comes as Meta complies with the Albanese government’s social media ban. The company says teenagers can save their posts before their account is shut down, and they’ll be able to access them again when they turn 16 or delete the account.
Under-16s will receive messages through a combination of in-app, email, and SMS notifications about deactivation. If Meta mistakenly flags a user as under 16, facial age assurance can be used to verify their age. The company expects errors but believes this is the least privacy-intrusive method.
Meta argues that its teen accounts setting would be a better alternative to the ban. However, it’s complying with the law and will send notifications to all affected users by December 4. Other companies, including TikTok and Snapchat, have also expressed their intention to comply with the ban.
The ban affects Facebook, Instagram, Threads, but excludes Messenger from its scope.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/19/meta-starts-notifying-australian-teens-of-account-shutdowns-as-social-media-ban-looms