Instagram and Facebook Begin Account Closures Ahead of Australia‘s Under-16 Social Media Ban
Sydney, Australia – Instagram and Facebook have begun proactively shutting down accounts believed to belong to users under the age of 16, as Australia prepares to enforce a new law restricting social media access for younger demographics. The move comes days before the December 10th deadline for platforms to comply with the new regulations, which aim to protect children from online harms.
The Australian government’s new rules, overseen by the eSafety commissioner, require social media platforms to verify the age of users and obtain parental consent for those under 16. Platforms failing to adhere to the regulations face potential fines of $49.5 million. The ban impacts a wide range of popular services,including Facebook,Instagram,Threads,TikTok,Snapchat,X,Reddit,Kick,Twitch,and YouTube.
eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant has indicated a “graduated risk and outcomes-based approach” to enforcement, prioritizing platforms with the largest underage user bases. While most companies – including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitch and YouTube – have publicly committed to compliance, X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit have yet to comment on their plans.
“Increasing the minimum age to have a social media account is not a cure,it is a treatment plan. And this is not set and forget. We can’t be static in dynamic environments – as the tech sure isn’t,” Inman Grant stated to Senate estimates on Tuesday night.
The government identified the ten platforms requiring implementation of the ban. The new legislation is a response to growing concerns about the negative impacts of social media on young peopel’s mental health and wellbeing, including exposure to cyberbullying, harmful content, and privacy risks. The enforcement of this ban marks a significant step in Australia’s efforts to create a safer online surroundings for children.
