Australia is set to implement one of its most stringent social media age regulations through a new rule that mandates the removal of users under the age of 16 from major platforms. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced that it will begin removing underage Australian users starting December 4. The broader law, which applies to all social media companies including TikTok, will officially come into effect on December 10. Any platform that fails to comply could face substantial financial penalties under Australia’s strengthened online safety framework.

This move comes as the Australian government intensifies its efforts to protect children from online harm. Concerns have been rising over issues such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, online grooming, and the addictive nature of social media platforms. The government believes that stricter rules are necessary to safeguard young users and ensure that platforms take greater responsibility for identifying and removing underage accounts. Under the new regulations, social media companies will be required to verify the age of their users more rigorously and must act swiftly to remove accounts belonging to individuals under 16 years old.

Meta has stated that it will implement new detection systems aimed at identifying underage users more accurately. These technologies may include AI-based age prediction tools, behavioural pattern analysis, and improved reporting mechanisms. Once flagged, accounts belonging to children under 16 will be disabled or removed. Meta has emphasized that the decision aligns with its broader global efforts to enhance youth safety on its platforms. However, this change is likely to affect thousands of young Australian users who currently access Facebook and Instagram despite the existing minimum age requirement of 13.

TikTok, another platform widely used by teenagers, will also be subject to the same removal requirements starting December 10. The company has previously faced scrutiny for its handling of youth content and minors’ data. With the new law in place, TikTok will need to strengthen its age-checking processes and ensure complete compliance to avoid penalties. Social media companies that fail to follow the directive could face hefty fines that may reach into millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the violation.

While many experts and parents have welcomed the decision, some critics argue that removing under-16 users may not fully address the underlying issues. They point out that determined young users might still find ways to bypass age checks or switch to less regulated platforms. Others worry that stricter enforcement may limit online expression for teenagers who use social media responsibly. Nevertheless, the Australian government maintains that safety must be prioritized, and enhanced age verification is a crucial step in that direction.