Meta says it will begin removing Australian users under the age of 16 from Instagram, Threads, and Facebook as the country prepares to enforce a landmark youth safety law. The company confirmed the move on Thursday, describing it as part of its effort to comply with new national rules that will significantly restrict how teenagers access social media.

Australia prepares for strict youth protection rules

The new legislation, which takes effect on December 10, will require major online platforms to block users who are younger than 16. According to reports from Australian media outlets, platforms such as TikTok and YouTube are expected to follow the same directive. Companies that fail to take what the government calls “reasonable steps” to enforce the age limit could face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, the equivalent of about 32 million US dollars.

The Australian government has described the law as the first of its kind globally. It was introduced after a series of investigations into online harm, including cyberbullying, grooming risks, and the impact of social media on adolescent mental health.

Meta outlines how the removal process will work

A Meta spokesperson said the company has already begun identifying accounts believed to belong to users under the required age. The spokesperson explained that the process will not be a one-time sweep but an ongoing effort involving several verification steps.

“We are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by 10 December,” the spokesperson said. “However, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process.”

Meta said affected users will be allowed to download their account information before the restriction begins. The company added that once a user turns 16, their access may be restored and their content reinstated.

“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,” the spokesperson added.

Thousands of teens expected to lose access

According to data shared by Instagram, the platform currently has about 350,000 Australian users aged between 13 and 15. This suggests that hundreds of thousands of teenagers may lose access to their accounts in the coming days.

Other widely used apps popular with younger users, including Roblox, Pinterest, and WhatsApp, are not covered by the new rules. The government has said the exemption list may be reviewed as the law is implemented.

Experts weigh in

Child safety advocates in Australia have welcomed the legislation, saying it could reduce exposure to harmful content and online predators. However, some digital rights groups have expressed concern about privacy risks, warning that stricter age verification could lead to invasive identity checks.

According to analysts at the University of Sydney, the law may also set a global precedent, with several countries watching closely to see how Australia balances youth safety with digital rights.

Closing

As the December 10 deadline approaches, Meta and other platforms face pressure to adjust their systems quickly. The rollout is expected to spark a wider debate about how far governments should go in regulating young people’s online activity.