Meta to remove under-16s from Facebook, Instagram

Australians younger than 16 will be removed from Facebook and Instagram on Dec 4, tech giant Meta said yesterday, as Canberra prepares to enforce sweeping laws banning teens from social media.

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From Dec 10, Australia will force social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to remove users under the age of 16 or face hefty fines.

Meta said it would start removing teenagers from its platforms ahead of the ban coming into force.

"From today, Meta will be notifying Australian users it understands to be aged 13-15 that they will lose access to Instagram, Threads and Facebook," Meta said in a statement.

"Meta will begin blocking new under-16 accounts and revoking existing access from Dec 4, expecting to remove all known under-16s by Dec 10."