Name: Meta begins locking out Australian children from social media accounts
Uploaded: 2025-12-04T06:48:52.787Z
Duration: 1 min 28 s
Description: Meta has started locking out under-16 users of Instagram and Facebook in the first wave of the social media ban. The company has carried out age verification of hundreds of thousands of its users.

Meta has started locking out under-16 users of Instagram and Facebook in the first wave of the social media ban. The company has carried out age verification of hundreds of thousands of its users.

Canberra

Meta has preemptively shut down thousands of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts belonging to Australian teenagers ahead of a new government ban on social media use for those aged 16 and under. The ban, which will take effect in six days, aims to protect children and ensure they have a traditional childhood experience, according to officials.

The new law has affected young users, including public figures like Olympic skateboarder Chloe Covel, and has prompted mixed reactions from teenagers, some of whom say they will continue to access social media despite the restrictions. Authorities acknowledge doubts about the ban's effectiveness but remain committed to its goals.

Meta begins locking out Australian children from social media accounts

Pulling the plug. Social media giant, Meta, going early. Shutting down thousands of Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts ahead of the Federal Government's social media ban for Aussie teenagers. 12-year-old Elizabeth Riddle from Toowoomba was one of them. Yeah, I kind of knew from school and stuff. What are you going to do for the next four years? Um, probably just use my brother's phone. From next Wednesday, all Australian children aged 16 and under will be unable to access most social media sites. Australian kids deserve to be kids and that's what the social media ban is all about. Olympic skateboarder Chloe Covel, telling her 300,000 followers she'll have to stay off Instagram until her 16th birthday in February. Even the East Safety Commissioner, who is leading the charge, isn't immune to the changes in her own household. My 13-year-old daughter is really distraught because she wants to follow her celebrity crush. And that sentiment is shared by many young Australians who say they will still go online, ban or not. Yeah, I'll get around it. I just reckon everyone's going to keep using it. Whether or not this particular rendition is effective, I have some doubts. As the world's first laws are put to the test in six days' time. We are determined to ensure that Australian kids get their childhood. Matthew Karstunen, 10 News.

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