Meta Initiates Account Closures for Australian Teens Ahead of Age Restrictions

Wed Nov 19 2025 21:18:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Australia prepares for a groundbreaking ban on under-16s using social media, Meta informs its young users that their accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads will be shut down starting December 4.

Meta has begun notifying Australian teenagers aged 13 to 15 that their accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads will be deactivated in compliance with a new government regulation aimed at protecting younger users. The ban, effective from December 10, 2025, seeks to mitigate the risks and pressures associated with social media. Prior to closure, Meta advises users to update contact details and offers options for challenging the age restriction through age verification methods.

Meta Initiates Account Closures for Australian Teens Ahead of Age Restrictions

Younger Australian teenagers on Instagram, Facebook and Threads are being told their accounts will be shut down ahead of the country's social media ban for under-16s.

Meta, which owns the three brands, said it had begun notifying users it believes to be between 13 and 15 years old by text, email and in-app messages that their accounts would start being deactivated from 4 December 2025.

The ban in Australia comes into force on 10 December and it affects various platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, X, and Reddit.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the world-leading ban was aimed at allowing children to enjoy their youth. While Meta and other firms oppose the measure, they have committed to compliance.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner has estimated that there are 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 teenagers on Instagram within the targeted age range.

From December 4, children below the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to create accounts on Meta's platforms, with Meta advising young users to update their contact details to be notified when eligible for account access again. Content uploaded to their accounts can be saved prior to deactivation.

Teen users claiming they are of appropriate age can challenge the restriction using a video selfie or government-issued ID as part of their verification process. These measures have undergone evaluation by the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS) as part of a government-commissioned report.

Platforms that fail to take adequate measures to block under-16s could face fines up to A$50 million (£25 million).

Antigone Davis, Meta's global head of safety, stated that while efforts are underway to comply with this initiative before the law comes into effect, it will be an evolving process. Meta has expressed support for future laws requiring parental consent for minors seeking to access social media applications.

Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, mentioned the ban aims to protect teens from pressures and risks encountered on social media.

In a related move to avoid being impacted by the ban, gaming platform Roblox has announced that children under 16 will be restricted from chatting with adult strangers.