Australian teens on Facebook and Instagram are facing some big changes. Starting December 10, those under 16 will have their accounts deactivated. This action follows the Albanese government’s new rules regarding social media access for minors.
Affected users will get 14 days of notice through in-app messages, emails, and texts. While Facebook, Instagram, and Threads will be impacted, Messenger will remain accessible, but users will need a special setup to use Messenger without a Facebook account.
Meta will start the process on December 4. By the 10th, accounts identified as belonging to under-16 users will no longer be available. However, young users can save their posts, messages, and videos before this cuts off. Once they turn 16, they will be able to return to their accounts, or they may choose to delete them altogether.
Mia Garlick, Meta’s regional policy director, assures users that all content will remain available when they return. She also encourages parents to verify their children’s birth dates on social media.
How does Meta know which accounts belong to users under 16? They haven’t shared specific methods to protect against users finding ways to bypass the rules. For those who may be mistakenly flagged, there’s an option to verify age through a video selfie or by providing a government ID.
This isn’t just a local issue. Around the world, there’s been a growing call for companies to enforce stricter age verification. A recent study showed that about 80% of parents are concerned about their children’s online safety. In Australia, platforms like Roblox have started implementing age-verification features due to similar concerns.
However, not everyone agrees with these bans. Some experts argue that educational measures would be more effective than outright deactivation. Antigone Davis, Meta’s global head of safety, acknowledged that the process of identifying users under 16 would be ongoing and complex.
Other platforms, including TikTok and Snapchat, are also preparing to comply with the ban, but YouTube is still debating its position.
As society grapples with these issues, the conversation around online safety and age verification continues to evolve. Balancing safety with the freedom of expression for young users remains a significant challenge. If you know someone affected by these changes, it might be worthwhile to discuss how they feel about it.
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