Meta moves early on youth ban
Meta now removes Australian children under 16 from Instagram, Facebook and Threads. The company acts one week before the national ban takes effect. Meta said last month that it warned users aged 13 to 15 about closures starting on 4 December. The company expects around 150,000 affected Facebook accounts and about 350,000 impacted Instagram profiles. Threads will also lose young users because access relies on an Instagram login. Australia’s new law begins on 10 December and requires platforms to block under-16s. Firms risk fines of up to A$49.5m if they fail to take reasonable steps.
Meta urges clearer age checks in app stores
A company spokesperson told a British news outlet that compliance will stay detailed and ongoing. She said Meta will follow the law but wants a stronger and more privacy-focused system. Meta wants age checks in app stores before downloads take place. Parents would then confirm access for under-16s and avoid repeated checks across different apps. Meta said flagged teens can save posts, videos and messages before removal. Young users who believe the system judged them wrongly can request a review and upload a short video selfie to prove their age. They may also provide a driver’s licence or another government ID.
Government faces praise and criticism
The ban covers YouTube, X, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick and Twitch as well. The government says the law shields children from online harm. Critics warn that it may isolate teens who depend on social platforms for support. Some fear young users may move to unregulated online spaces. Communications Minister Anika Wells said she expects early challenges but focuses on protecting Generation Alpha. She said strong algorithms trap children in harmful content cycles. She described young users as tied to a constant “dopamine drip” once they join social platforms. Wells said she also watches newer apps like Lemon8 and Yope to see where teens move after the ban.
Newer platforms under review
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner asked Lemon8 and Yope to assess whether the ban applies to them. Yope’s chief executive said the company has not received direct questions but already completed an internal review. He said Yope works as a private messenger with no public content. He compared it to WhatsApp because users share daily moments only with trusted contacts. Reports say Lemon8 plans to block under-16s next week even though it is not listed in the law. YouTube, first exempt then included, called the new legislation rushed. The company argues that removing teen accounts with parental controls could reduce safety.
Global interest grows around the new law
Governments worldwide monitor Australia’s approach closely. A national study found that 96% of children aged 10 to 15 use social media. Seven in ten saw harmful content including violent posts or material linked to eating disorders or suicide. One in seven reported grooming behaviour by adults or older children. More than half said they experienced cyberbullying.
