Meta announced on Thursday that it has started removing Australian users under the age of 16 from Instagram, Threads and Facebook to comply with Australia’s imposition of a ban on social media.
The Australian parliament last week passed the bill demanding that major online platforms, also including TikTok and YouTube, block underage users by December 10, before the new law comes into effect. Meta had already assured the Australian government that it would begin following the order from December 4.
The order states that if any company is found violating the rule, a heavy fine of $32 million will be imposed, without consideration. A Meta spokesperson on Thursday said, “While we are trying hard to remove all users who we believe are under the age of 16 by December 10, compliance with the order will be an ongoing and multi-layered process.”
He said teenage users can save and download their online histories and their loved memories until December 10. “Before you turn 16, we will notify you that you will soon be allowed to regain access to these platforms, and your content will be restored exactly as you left it.”
According to estimates, more than 400,000 to 500,000 social media users in Australia are aged 13 to 15. The government order is clear that they want the strict imposition of the ban.
Moreover, the order states that Australia wants to protect underage children from sexual exploitation in online spaces, a crime that has been rampant and growing across the globe. Meta, while assuring adherence to the ban, said, “It will impose all the strict checks and balances in the user policy.”
However, a Meta spokesperson also urged the Australian government to check on app stores as well. Meanwhile, Malaysia and New Zealand have also hinted at banning the social media accounts used by underage children (below 16) from next year.
