Instagram Begins Closing Teen Accounts In Australia

COLOMBO (News 1st); Meta has started notifying younger Australian teens that their accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads will be shut down ahead of the country’s landmark social media ban for under-16s, which takes effect on 10 December.

From 4 December, Meta will begin deactivating accounts of users it believes are aged 13 to 15, sending alerts via text, email, and in-app messages. Teens will be able to download and save their posts, videos, and messages before their accounts are closed.

The ban, described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as “world-leading” and aimed at “letting kids be kids”, will also apply to platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Snapchat. Firms that fail to comply face fines of up to A$50 million.

Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner estimates there are 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 Instagram users in the 13–15 age bracket. Meta says teens can challenge the restriction by verifying their age through a video selfie, government-issued ID, or other approved methods tested by the Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS).

Meta has urged lawmakers to consider a system requiring parental approval for under-16s to download social media apps, warning that “teens are resourceful and may attempt to circumvent age checks.”

Meanwhile, gaming platform Roblox announced new safety measures to avoid being included in the ban, restricting under-16s from chatting with adult strangers and introducing mandatory age checks for chat features starting December.

Platforms Affected by the Ban

Facebook
Instagram
Threads
TikTok
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Snapchat
YouTube
Kick

Not included: Discord, WhatsApp, Messenger, Roblox, Steam, YouTube Kids, Google Classroom.