Instagram to Shut Down Australian Teen Accounts Ahead of December Social Media Ban

What’s happening

Meta Platforms — the parent company of Instagram, Facebook and Threads — has announced that it will begin deactivating accounts of Australian users aged under 16 ahead of a landmark law set to take effect on 10 December 2025. From early December (starting 4 December) Meta will block new sign‑ups for under‑16s, and by 10 December will aim to have existing under‑16 accounts deactivated.

Why the change

The move comes under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 which requires social‑media platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent minors under 16 from accessing their services. Meta says it is notifying affected users via in‑app messages, emails and SMS to save their content and prepare for account deactivation. Users will be able to regain access once they reach 16.

How it affects users and parents

• Teens aged 13–15 in Australia are being alerted now so they can download their data, update contact info, or delete their accounts voluntarily.
• Meta warns there may be errors in the age‑verification process, meaning some users over 16 might be mistakenly flagged under the cut‑off.
• Parents are urged to check age data on their children’s accounts since wrong birthdates may lead to automatic deactivation.

What Meta is doing

Meta has outlined several steps to comply:

• Blocking new account registrations for users who indicate they are under 16.
• Using “age assurance” methods (such as video selfies or ID verification via a third‑party) when needed, while emphasising a “data minimisation” approach.
• Allowing accounts to be restored when the user turns 16, safeguarding users’ posts and data for reactivation.

Broader implications & concerns

The rollout is being closely watched globally as one of the first major national bans on social‑media access for under‑16s. Australia’s regulator estimates hundreds of thousands of Australian teens use Instagram and Facebook.

Experts caution about the implementation:

• Age‑verification technology may make mistakes, risking that legitimate users are locked out.
• There are concerns that some teens may simply migrate to lesser‑regulated platforms not covered by the ban.
• The balance between privacy, safety and practicality is under debate — how much data verification is acceptable?

What users should do

If you have an account and are under 16:

• Download your data now (photos, videos, messages) if you want to keep them.
• Double‑check your birth‑date on your account profile.
• Consider which posts or contacts you may wish to keep or delete.

For parents:

• Monitor which platforms your child uses, and verify their age settings.
• Use this as a trigger to talk about safe‑online behaviour, other offline activities and the changes ahead.
• Encourage alternatives: hobbies, face‑to‑face socialising or other apps with stronger supervision.

What’s next

With the law starting 10 December, platforms must complete the deactivation process by then — or face penalties of up to A$49.5 million. Platforms beyond Meta (e.g., TikTok, X, Snapchat) are also covered and expected to outline compliance plans in coming weeks.