Meta to Deactivate Facebook and Instagram Accounts for Australian Users Under 16 by December 10

Meta has announced plans to deactivate Facebook and Instagram accounts for Australian users under 16 by December 10, 2025, in compliance with new national legislation. Affected users will receive notifications via in-app messages, emails, and texts, informing them of the impending account deactivation.

Starting December 4, Meta will begin blocking new account registrations for individuals under 16 and deactivating existing accounts, with the process expected to conclude by December 10.

To verify users' ages, Meta will employ various age assurance methods, adopting a "data minimisation approach" by seeking additional information only when there is reason to doubt a user's stated age.

Antigone Davis, Meta's Vice President and Global Head of Safety, stated, "While we are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by 10 December, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process."

According to Australia's internet regulator, there are approximately 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 Instagram users aged between 13 and 15 in Australia.

Affected teenagers will have the option to update their contact details to be notified once they turn 16, download their data, or opt to delete their accounts.

This move is part of Australia's broader effort to regulate minors' access to social media platforms, with potential fines of up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.