Instagram’s parent company, Meta, along with TikTok and Snapchat, has announced that it will comply with new Australian legislation banning users under the age of 16 from accessing their platforms. This law, set to take effect on December 10, aims to bolster protection for young users amid rising concerns over youth mental health related to social media usage.
The companies expressed their belief that this ban may not effectively safeguard young people; however, they have committed to reaching out to the more than one million underage accounts identified across their platforms. This represents a significant change in the stance of social media companies which previously argued that restricting access could push minors toward less regulated parts of the internet, depriving them of vital social interactions.
The law mandates that online platforms take “reasonable steps” to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts, with potential fines of up to AUD $49.5 million (approximately USD $32.5 million) for non-compliance. Major players in the social media space, including Meta, TikTok, and Snap, are now planning to implement automated systems to verify ages and deactivate accounts as necessary.
Meta plans to proactively contact approximately 450,000 users under 16 on its platforms, Instagram and Facebook. Such users will then have the option to delete their data or store it until they reach the required age. Meanwhile, TikTok has reported having around 200,000 underage accounts in Australia, while Snap’s figures show about 440,000 users below the age limit.
This legislative initiative highlights an increasing global focus on youth online safety, resonating across nations grappling with how to manage children’s access to digital platforms. The proactive measures in Australia may inspire similar regulatory conversations elsewhere, including in countries such as Fiji, where officials are exploring ways to protect children online.
Overall, the collective compliance efforts of these major tech companies reflect a growing recognition of the challenges posed by social media and a commitment to prioritizing young people’s safety in the digital landscape.