Instagram and Facebook Accounts of Users Set for Deactivation
Meta-owned platforms Instagram and Facebook, along with TikTok and Snapchat, are set to deactivate accounts of underage users in Australia starting December 10. This initiative is part of a groundbreaking online safety law that prohibits children under 16 from using social media without parental consent. As the first nationwide ban of its kind, this regulation aims to address the rising mental health concerns associated with social media use among young people.
Social media platforms will notify affected teenagers prior to the permanent deletion of their accounts. According to a report by Reuters, these notifications will present users with three options: they can download their data, freeze their profiles, or forfeit access to their accounts entirely. This proactive approach is designed to ensure that young users are aware of the impending changes and can make informed decisions regarding their online presence. The new regulation, introduced under Australia’s Online Safety Act, seeks to safeguard children from the mental health risks linked to social media. Non-compliance with this law could result in hefty fines for platforms, reaching up to A$49.5 million (approximately ₹270 crore).
Age Verification and Detection
To enforce this new regulation, companies like Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat will utilize AI-driven systems to estimate users’ ages based on their online behavior, including likes, comments, and engagement patterns. This method eliminates the need for users to upload identification documents. If a user believes they have been incorrectly flagged as underage, they can appeal the decision using age verification applications that analyze a selfie to confirm their age. Yoti, a company providing age-assurance technology for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, has indicated that the adjustment period for users may take a few weeks as they adapt to the new system. Julie Dawson, Chief Policy Officer at Yoti, noted that users will quickly acclimate to the changes, and it will soon become routine.
A World-First Approach to Online Safety
Australia’s new law mandates that social media companies block or suspend accounts of users under 16 who lack parental approval. This legislation follows extensive discussions about the effects of social media on the mental health of young individuals, which have been fueled by leaked internal documents from Meta and increasing public concern. TikTok has reported approximately 200,000 users aged 13–15 in Australia and is actively developing tools to identify and report underage users. Additionally, the local livestreaming platform Kick, which faced scrutiny after a tragic incident earlier this year, has confirmed its commitment to comply with the new regulation by implementing various safety measures. While the immediate impact on Australia’s 20 million social media users may be minimal, experts believe this law could set a global precedent, prompting other countries to adopt similar measures by 2026.
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