Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat to ban Under-16 Accounts as Australia’s New Law Takes Effect – Social media giant Meta, along with TikTok and Snapchat, has announced it will follow Australia’s new law banning users under the age of 16 from using their platforms. The companies confirmed that account deactivations will begin once the law officially comes into effect on December 10.
Social Media Firms Agree to Comply with New Law
In a parliamentary session on Tuesday, representatives from Meta (Instagram and Facebook), TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, and Snapchat owner Snap said they still don’t believe the ban will effectively protect young users. However, they added that they are preparing to notify over one million underage users about the upcoming changes.
This marks a significant change in the social media industry’s approach. The new Australian law requires platforms to take “reasonable steps” to block users under 16 or face penalties of up to A$49.5 million (around $32.5 million USD). The regulation is being closely watched globally as concerns over the mental health of young people continue to rise.
Platforms Push Back but Promise Compliance
Social media companies have long argued that such age bans could push teens to less safe corners of the internet, limit their social interaction, and create technical challenges. Some, like Snap and YouTube, even claimed they shouldn’t be classified as social media companies.
Despite this, Snap’s senior vice president of global policy and platform operations, Jennifer Stout, said via video link, “We don’t agree, but we accept and we will abide by the law.”
TikTok’s public policy lead for Australia, Ella Woods-Joyce, echoed a similar stance, stating, “TikTok will comply with the law and meet its obligations.” She added, “We are on track to meet our compliance.”
Meta to Contact 450,000 Underage Users
Meta’s policy director for Australia and New Zealand, Mia Garlick, revealed that the company will soon reach out to users confirmed to be under 16. Around 450,000 such accounts exist across Instagram and Facebook. Those users will be asked whether they want to delete their photos and data or have them stored until they turn 16.
TikTok and Snap are taking similar steps. TikTok estimates around 200,000 under-16 accounts in Australia, while Snap has roughly 440,000.
Automated Checks and Age Verification
The platforms also plan to use AI-based behavior tracking to identify users who may have lied about their age.
Woods-Joyce explained, “Where we identify someone that is saying they’re 25 but the behaviors would indicate that they’re below the age of 16, from December 10th we will have those accounts deactivated.”
For users who are mistakenly flagged as underage, Meta and TikTok said they’ll offer a third-party age verification process. Snap mentioned that it is still working on a solution for those who believe they were wrongly blocked.
This major policy shift signals how seriously platforms are now taking youth protection laws, even as they continue to express concerns about how such bans will play out in the real world.
ALSO READ: Final Audio Launches DX3000CL: The First Closed-Back Headphones In Its DX Series
