Meta will begin restricting access to Facebook and Instagram for Australians under the age of 16 from December 4, ahead of the country’s sweeping new social media law taking effect on December 10. The legislation, designed to regulate young people’s online activity, allows regulators to impose fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (around US$32 million) on social media companies that fail to comply.
Under the new measures, Meta will start blocking new under-16 accounts and revoking access for existing users. In a statement, the company said it would notify users aged 13 to 15 that they would soon lose access to Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, with full removal expected by December 10. “When you turn 16, we’ll let you know that you can start using Facebook again,” the company added. Government figures estimate that roughly 350,000 Instagram users and 150,000 Facebook users fall within this age range in Australia.
The policy forms part of a broader crackdown affecting multiple platforms, including TikTok, X, Snapchat, Reddit, Threads, and YouTube. Authorities have framed the ban as a protective measure against exposure to inappropriate content and the potential harms of social media.
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However, the legislation has sparked concern among young Australians and advocates who question both its timing and its potential impact. Leo Puglisi, 18, a journalist and founder of the youth news service 6 News Australia, told an Australian senate inquiry that many young people rely on social media as a primary source of information. “We’re saying that a 15-year-old can’t access any news or political information on social media. I just don’t think that adds up,” he said.
Australian Senator David Shoebridge has raised similar concerns, noting that an estimated 2.4 million young people will be barred from social media accounts just as the school holidays begin. He warned that the restrictions could affect mental health and limit access to vital information.
Digital privacy experts have also questioned the law’s implementation. John Pane of Electronic Frontiers Australia acknowledged the intention to shield minors from unsuitable content but warned that the ban could create new risks. Most Australians under 16 do not yet possess government-issued identification, meaning social media companies may require video-based age verification, raising the potential for mass collection of sensitive personal data.
The debate reflects a wider global struggle to balance protection, privacy, and access. New Zealand has proposed similar legislation restricting children’s social media use, while Indonesia plans new protections against “physical, mental, or moral perils.” In Europe, the Dutch government advises parents to prevent children under 15 from using apps such as TikTok and Snapchat.
As December approaches, Australia’s move to regulate under-16 access will serve as a closely watched experiment in how far governments can—and should—go to shield young users from the risks of digital life without cutting them off from essential information and social participation.