Meta Removes Accounts of Australian Kids Ahead of Law

Meta has initiated the removal of accounts belonging to Australian children aged 13-15 from its platforms, Instagram and Facebook, as part of a compliance strategy with a new law that will take effect on December 10, 2025. The company started notifying users on December 4, 2023, about the deactivation of their accounts, estimating that around 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 Instagram accounts will be impacted.

This law represents the world's first social media ban on users under 16, and Meta's actions are a preemptive measure to avoid potential fines of AU$49.5 million (approximately US$32 million) for non-compliance. The law mandates that social media platforms must take steps to prevent minors from having accounts, requiring verification processes that cannot solely rely on user-provided birthdates.

Meta's compliance strategy includes the identification and removal of underage users, showcasing its willingness to enforce the law rapidly to avoid significant penalties.