By Andrew Rose
**America News World** | November 20, 2025
SYDNEY – Meta has announced it will completely block all Australian users under 16 from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads starting December 4, 2025 – six days before Australia’s new world-first social media ban for children officially begins.
The US tech giant is moving fast to comply with the tough new Australian law that bans anyone under 16 from using social media platforms. Companies that break the rule can face massive fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about $32 million US).
Meta has already started sending messages to teenagers aged 13–15 across Australia.
The message reads:
“Soon, you’ll no longer be able to use Facebook. Your profile won’t be visible to you or others. When you turn 16, we’ll let you know you can start using Facebook again.”
Government numbers show around 350,000 Australian teens aged 13–15 use Instagram and about 150,000 use Facebook. All of them will lose access within weeks.
The Australian ban will also cover TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, X (Twitter), and other major platforms.
### Young Australians and Experts Speak Out
Many teenagers and child rights groups say the ban was rushed and will hurt more than it helps.
18-year-old journalist Leo Puglisi, who runs popular youth news channel 6 News Australia, told lawmakers:
“Young people have the right to stay informed. A 15-year-old will no longer be able to see news or political information on social media. That just doesn’t make sense.”
Australian Senator David Shoebridge warned that 2.4 million young Australians will lose their accounts right at the start of summer school holidays, adding he is “deeply concerned” about mental health and privacy risks.
Digital rights group Electronic Frontiers Australia says the new law creates a bigger danger: companies will now collect huge amounts of personal data (including face scans and video selfies) to check ages. Most Australian children do not have official ID yet.
### How Will Companies Check Ages?
Because most kids under 16 have no driver’s license or passport, platforms plan to use:
– Facial age estimation technology
– Video selfies
– Credit card checks
– Government ID uploads (when available)
Critics say this hands even more private data to big tech companies and increases the risk of data breaches.
### Other Countries Watching Closely
Australia is the first country in the world to introduce a blanket under-16 social media ban. Now other nations are planning similar laws:
– New Zealand – Prime Minister wants a similar bill soon
– Indonesia – New laws to protect children from “moral dangers” online
– Netherlands – Government already advises parents to ban kids under 15 from TikTok and Snapchat
Experts say Australia’s experiment will be watched very closely. If it works, many more countries may follow.
For now, hundreds of thousands of Australian teens are counting down the days until their favorite apps go dark.