Meta Preemptively Removes Under-16 Accounts in Australia Ahead of New Law

Meta has begun removing accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 from its platforms in Australia. This action comes ahead of a new law that will ban children from social media without parental consent. The company is proactively shutting down these accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Media reports confirm the removals are occurring before the official ban deadline of December 10. Australia's new legislation aims to increase online safety for minors. It requires social media companies to obtain verified parental approval for users under 16. By acting early, Meta seeks to comply with the regulation before it takes full effect. The move highlights the global pressure on tech firms to better protect younger users online.