Meta to Shut Under-16 Accounts in Australia Ahead of New Law

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 Tech giant Meta has announced that it will begin shutting down Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 in Australia starting December 4, in response to a new national law targeting children’s online safety.

The move follows strict regulations set to take effect on December 10, which will prohibit all children under 16 from accessing any social media platform. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, making it one of the toughest online safety laws globally.

The Australian government has instructed all major platforms — including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok — to remove underage users from their systems before the December 10 deadline. Platforms are required to verify and permanently restrict access for younger users or risk heavy fines.

Meta said it has already begun notifying users aged 13 to 15 that their accounts will soon be disabled. Starting December 4, new accounts created by underage users will be blocked, and by December 10 all identified underage accounts across Meta platforms will be fully deactivated.

According to the company, once users turn 16 they will be able to reactivate their accounts with all previous settings and data intact. Meta emphasized that the decision aligns with government requirements and aims to enhance the safety of minors online.

Government statistics indicate there are currently about 350,000 Instagram accounts and 150,000 Facebook accounts in Australia belonging to users aged 13 to 15. The sweeping new law has drawn global attention for its unprecedented strictness.

The development comes as other countries consider similar measures. New Zealand’s prime minister is preparing legislation to tighten restrictions on children’s use of social media, while the Dutch government has advised parents to prevent children under 15 from using apps like TikTok and Snapchat.

Australia’s legislative push is expected to influence online safety debates worldwide, as governments reassess the role of social media in the lives of young users.