Meta to start closing teenage accounts weeks social media ban starts

Technology giant Meta has told under-16 users of Instagram and Facebook it will start closing accounts weeks before the official social media ban.

From today, the company will send messages to Australian children aged 13 to 15 telling them they will lose access to their accounts on Thursday, December 4.

Meta says posts and messages can be saved now as accounts start being blocked ahead of the federal government ban on Wednesday, December 10.

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The Meta platform Messenger is not affected by the ban.

In addition to the warning, the company is also giving under-16 users tips about future steps.

They're advised to download and save their posts and private messages before they are deleted.

They should also update their contact details so Meta can contact them when they turn 16.

Meta says there is a "margin of error" in estimating the age of all Australian under-16 users and acknowledges there may be some older one mistakenly caught up in the ban.

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The government-commissioned Age Assurance Technology Trial, found there would be "natural error margins" in accurately defining which users are under 16..

If someone over 16 believes they mistakenly come under the ban, they can challenge it by establishing their age using a video selfie or government ID through the facial age verification service Yoti.

Any users changing their age from under 16 to over 16 must verify their age.

Meta Australia managing director Will Easton said the ban was bringing "challenges", but said the company was committed to keeping young people safe online.

"We share the government's goal of creating safer, age-appropriate online experiences, however blanket bans bring their own set of challenges.

"We have invested in tools and protections to help keep young people safe online, and we will continue to advocate for solutions that balance safety, privacy, and the positive connections young Australians find on our platforms."

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