Meta has commenced a sweeping operation to deactivate the accounts of Australian teenagers under the age of 16, in direct compliance with the Albanese government's impending social media ban. Starting from Thursday, affected young users across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads are being notified that their access will be revoked by 10 December.
Notification Process and Account Shutdown Timeline
The tech giant is issuing a 14-day warning to users it identifies as underage through a multi-channel approach. This includes in-app messages, email, and SMS alerts. The company will begin blocking new registrations and cutting off access to existing accounts from 4 December, with the process completed for all targeted accounts by the 10 December deadline.
Importantly, the ban does not extend to Messenger. However, Meta has been forced to develop a new technical solution allowing users to retain access to the messaging service without an active Facebook account, a direct consequence of the new legislation.
Options for Affected Teens and Age Verification Challenges
Teens facing account deactivation are not left without recourse. They are being encouraged to download and save their content, including posts, messages, and Reels, before the shutdown. Crucially, they will have a choice once they come of age. Once they turn 16, they can reactivate their accounts with all content preserved, or they can opt for permanent deletion.
"When you turn 16 and can access our apps again all your content will be available exactly as you left it," assured Mia Garlick, Meta’s regional policy director, who also urged parents to ensure the correct birth date is registered on their children's accounts.
Meta is relying on its own systems to determine which accounts belong to under-16s, refusing to disclose its methodology to prevent circumvention. This process is expected to have errors. Users mistakenly flagged as underage can verify their age using facial age assurance technology—a video selfie—or by providing a government ID through Yoti's system.
Industry-Wide Impact and Legal Challenges
While Meta is the first major platform to outline its compliance strategy, it continues to voice its opposition to the blanket ban. The company argues that its existing teen safety settings, which limit contacts, restrict ads, and offer parental controls, represent a superior alternative.
Antigone Davis, Meta’s global head of safety, stated, "While we are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by 10 December, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process."
The ban extends to other major platforms including TikTok, X, YouTube, Snapchat, and Reddit. While TikTok and Snapchat have pledged compliance, YouTube contests its inclusion and has not ruled out legal action. Elon Musk's X platform has also expressed opposition, and NSW Libertarian politician John Ruddick has announced plans for a High Court challenge on grounds of freedom of political communication.
