Social media giant Meta has initiated the process of deactivating the accounts of users under the age of 16 in Australia, as part of the country's new legislative crackdown on children's access to social platforms. The company began sending out notifications in November, informing affected Instagram and Facebook users that their access will be removed.
The Notification and Verification Process
Accounts where the user's date of birth is set, or where Meta's systems determine the user to be, under 16 are receiving direct in-app alerts. The notification states: "Due to laws in Australia, soon you won't be able to use social media until you've turned 16." It explains that profiles will become invisible and unusable until the user reaches that age. The ban officially takes effect on 10 December, but Meta has indicated it will start removing access from 4 December.
Users presented with this notification are given a crucial choice: they can either download their account data and prepare for deactivation, or they can request a review of their date of birth. Opting for a review triggers Meta's age assurance system, powered by the technology company Yoti.
How Does the 'Video Selfie' Age Check Work?
The primary method for challenging an account's age designation is through a "video selfie" verification process. The app accesses the device's front-facing camera and instructs the user to move their head from side to side. This facial analysis is designed to estimate whether the user is over 16.
In tests conducted by Guardian Australia, the system proved swift for an obviously adult user with facial hair, confirming an age over 16 within minutes. However, for a genuine 13-year-old attempting to change their date of birth to appear older, the system quickly failed the check. Within a minute, it stated "we couldn't confirm your age" and then required the submission of a government-issued ID as the next step.
Meta states that the facial images used in these checks are deleted after the analysis is complete. The company may also pre-assess users as being over 18 based on other account signals, such as how long the account has existed and user behaviour patterns.
Challenges and Wider Impact of the Ban
The implementation of this policy is not without its acknowledged difficulties. Communications Minister Anika Wells admitted last month that there would be "teething issues" as the ban comes into force, remarking, "We know this law will not be perfect, but it is too important not to have a crack."
Data from age-assurance trials suggests that facial age estimation is less accurate for individuals closer to the cut-off age of 16 and for some minority groups, leading to higher rates of false positives or false negatives. While those over 21 are far less likely to encounter issues, the margin for error exists for teenagers.
The Australian social media ban extends beyond Meta's platforms. It also affects a wide range of other services including TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. The move represents one of the most stringent governmental interventions into youth social media use globally, setting a significant precedent for digital media regulation and child online safety.
