Meta Begins Removing Accounts of Australian Children from Platforms

Meta Platforms Inc. has commenced the process of deactivating accounts of Australian users under the age of 16 on its social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. This initiative is part of the company’s compliance with a new Australian law that prohibits minors from accessing these services, which is set to officially take effect on December 10, 2023.

The company announced that it began notifying users aged between 13 to 15 years old in November, informing them that their accounts would be closed starting on December 4. It is estimated that this decision will impact approximately 150,000 Facebook accounts and around 350,000 Instagram accounts. The Threads platform, which can only be accessed via an Instagram account, will also be affected by this measure.

Under the new legislation, companies that fail to prevent users under the age of 16 from creating accounts could face significant penalties, with fines reaching up to A$49.5 million (approximately US$33 million or £25 million). A spokesperson for Meta indicated that ensuring compliance with the law will involve a complex and ongoing approach. "While Meta is committed to complying with the law, we believe a more effective, standardised, and privacy-preserving approach is needed," the spokesperson stated.

Meta has proposed that the government should require app stores to verify the ages of users at the time of downloading applications and to seek parental consent for users under 16. This proposed change would potentially streamline the age verification process across various platforms, reducing the burden on minors.

In a recent development, Meta stated that users identified as under 16 would have the opportunity to download and save their posts, videos, and messages before their accounts are closed. For those who believe they have been incorrectly classified as underage, there is an option to request a review by submitting a "video selfie" or providing government-issued identification.

In addition to Meta's platforms, the Australian ban will also apply to other social media services such as YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch. The Australian government aims to protect children from the potential harms associated with social media use. However, critics argue that the ban may isolate youth who rely on these platforms for social interaction, pushing them towards less regulated areas of the internet.

Anika Wells, Australia’s Minister for Communications, acknowledged that there may be initial challenges as the ban is implemented but emphasised that the goal is to safeguard Generation Alpha, defined as individuals under the age of 15. "With one law, we can protect Generation Alpha from being sucked into purgatory by the predatory algorithms described by the man who created the feature as behavioural cocaine," Wells remarked.

Wells highlighted the incessant exposure of young people to digital stimuli, describing it as a "dopamine drip" that begins as soon as they possess a smartphone and social media accounts. She has also indicated that she will monitor lesser-known platforms such as Lemon8, developed by the creators of TikTok, and Yope to determine if children migrate to these alternatives in response to the ban.

Earlier this week, Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, reached out to Lemon8 and Yope, urging them to assess their compliance with the new regulations. Bahram Ismailau, the chief executive and co-founder of Yope, stated that his platform operates more like a private messenger, akin to WhatsApp, and does not feature public content, thus not falling under the purview of the ban.

Lemon8 has announced plans to exclude users under 16 from its platform starting next week, despite initially not being included in the ban. YouTube, which was originally exempt from the legislation but later included, has described the law as "rushed" and warned that restricting children from having an account—which includes parental controls—could jeopardise the safety of its video-sharing environment.

The Australian social media ban is being closely monitored by international leaders, as it marks a pioneering effort to regulate children's access to social media. A recent government study revealed that 96% of Australian children aged 10 to 15 engage with social media, with many reporting exposure to harmful content, including violent and misogynistic material, as well as experiences of cyberbullying and grooming behaviours. According to the report, one in seven children has encountered inappropriate interactions online, raising concerns about their safety in digital spaces.