Instagram Closing Aussie Teen Accounts Ahead of Social Media Ban

Younger Australian teenagers on Instagram, Facebook and Threads are being told their accounts will be shut down ahead of the country’s social media ban for under-16s, BBC News reported.

From December 4, children under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on Meta’s social media platforms.

Meta, which owns the three platforms, said it had begun notifying users it believes to be between 13 and 15 years old — via text, email and in-app messages — that their accounts would start being deactivated from December 4. The ban in Australia comes into force on December 10.

It covers TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Kick and Snapchat.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the “world-leading” ban was aimed at “letting kids be kids.”

Meta and other firms oppose the measure but said they would comply. Australia’s internet regulator estimated there are 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 teens on Instagram in the 13–15 age bracket.

From December 4, children under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on Meta’s social media platforms.