Meta starts removals before the national cutoff
Meta now removes Australian children under 16 from Instagram, Facebook and Threads. The company takes this step one week before the country’s youth ban begins. Meta said last month that it warned users aged 13 to 15 about closures starting on 4 December. The company expects around 150,000 Facebook accounts and about 350,000 Instagram profiles to be affected. Threads will also lose young users because access requires an Instagram login. Australia’s new law begins on 10 December and orders platforms to block under-16s. Companies risk fines of up to A$49.5m if they fail to act.
Meta pushes for unified age checks in app stores
A company spokesperson told a British news outlet that compliance will remain complex and ongoing. She said Meta will follow the law but wants a more effective and privacy-focused system. Meta calls for age verification in app stores before downloads take place. Parents would then confirm access for under-16s and avoid repeated age checks inside individual apps. Meta said flagged teens can save posts, videos and messages before deactivation. Young users who believe the system misjudged their age can request a review and upload a short video selfie. They can also submit a driver’s licence or another government ID.
The wider industry feels the pressure
The ban also covers YouTube, X, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick and Twitch. The government says the law shields children from online harm. Critics warn that it may isolate teens who depend on digital communities. They also fear young people may move to less regulated spaces online. Communications Minister Anika Wells said she expects early challenges but wants strong protections for Generation Alpha. She said powerful algorithms trap young users in harmful content loops. She described children as attached to a constant “dopamine drip” once they join social platforms. Wells also monitors apps like Lemon8 and Yope to track where teens move after the ban.
Newer apps enter the spotlight
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner asked Lemon8 and Yope to assess whether the law applies to them. Yope’s chief executive said the company has not received direct inquiries but already completed a self-review. He said Yope functions as a private messenger with no public content. He compared it to WhatsApp because users share moments only with trusted contacts. Reports say Lemon8 plans to block under-16s next week even though the law does not list the platform. YouTube, first exempt then included, criticised the legislation as rushed. The company argues that removing teen accounts with parental controls could weaken safety.
Global attention builds around Australia’s approach
Governments worldwide monitor this new legal model closely. A national study found that 96% of children aged 10 to 15 use social media. Seven in ten saw harmful posts including violent material or content linked to eating disorders or suicide. One in seven reported grooming behaviour from adults or older children. More than half said they faced cyberbullying.
