Meta has started booting Australian children under 16 years off its Instagram, Facebook and Threads platforms, a week before an official teen social media ban begins.
The tech giant announced last month that it had begun notifying users aged between 13 to 15 years old that their accounts would start being shut down from December 4.
An estimated 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 Instagram accounts are expected to be affected. Threads, similar to X, can only be accessed via an Instagram account.
Australia's world-first social media ban starts on December 10, with companies facing fines of up to A$49.5m (US$33m, £25m) if they fail to take reasonable steps to stop under-16s from having accounts.
A spokesperson for Meta told the BBC on Thursday that compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process.
While Meta is committed to complying with the law, the spokesperson suggested a more effective approach would involve requiring app stores to verify age at the download stage to enhance user safety.
Last month, Meta stated that users it had identified as under 16 would have the chance to download and save their posts and media before their accounts are deactivated.
Teens who feel they have been wrongly classified can request a review, providing age verification through a video selfie or government ID.
Alongside Meta's platforms, other sites affected by the ban include YouTube, X, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick and Twitch.
This controversial government initiative aims to shield children from social media-related risks—yet critics argue it could alienate youngsters who rely on these platforms for social interaction.
Communications Minister Anika Wells expressed understanding of potential teething problems during the initial phase of the ban and emphasized the objective of safeguarding future generations.
Government studies show that a staggering 96% of Australian children aged 10-15 use social media, with significant exposure to harmful content, raising alarms about child safety online.
