Meta Notifies Young Australians to Download Data Ahead of Social Media Ban

Meta has initiated notifications to thousands of Australian users under 16, advising them to download their digital content and prepare for account deletion from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This action precedes the enforcement of a new law, effective December 10, 2025, requiring social media platforms to restrict access for users under 16.

The Australian government announced that platforms including Meta's services, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube must take reasonable steps to exclude users younger than 16. Meta is the first company to outline its compliance plan, sending SMS and email notices to affected users starting November 20. The company estimates there are 350,000 Australians aged 13 to 15 on Instagram and 150,000 in that age bracket on Facebook.

Users incorrectly flagged as underage can verify their age through Yoti Age Verification by providing government-issued identity documents or a "video selfie." Terry Flew, co-director of Sydney University's Center for AI, Trust and Governance, noted that facial-recognition technology has a failure rate of at least 5%.

Meta's Vice President and Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, suggested that app stores like Apple App Store and Google Play should collect age information during user sign-up to verify they are at least 16 years old. Davis stated, "We believe a better approach is required: a standard, more accurate, ... ."

Dany Elachi, founder ... , which advocated for the age restriction, encouraged parents to help their children plan alternative activities to replace time spent on social media. Elachi remarked, "When everybody misses out, nobody misses ... ."

Failure to comply with the new law could result in fines of up to 50 ... ) for platforms.