Meta to block Facebook and Instagram for under-16 Australians

Meta will block Australian users under the age of 16 from accessing Instagram, Facebook and Threads by Dec 10 to comply with the country's sweeping social media ban for teenagers, the company said on Nov 19.

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The company said it had begun notifying users it believed were between 13 and 15 years old that their accounts will be shut down through in-app messages, email and texts.

From Dec 4, it will start deactivating the accounts and blocking new sign-ups by anyone under 16. Meta said the process was expected to be completed by Dec 10, after previously indicating to lawmakers it would only begin removing access once the law takes effect on that date.