Kids kicked off Instagram early as Meta prepares for the Social Media Ban

Australian kids are about to get a shock with Meta-owned social media apps Instagram, Threads, and Facebook to start notifying users they believe to be under 16 that they will lose their accounts in two weeks.

That two-week timeline puts Meta on target to meet the requirements of the Social Media Minimum Age legislation a full week before the December 10 deadline.

Young users will begin receiving notifications within the social media apps, by email, and text message advising them they have 14 days to take action on their accounts before the ban kicks in.

Meta says they will begin revoking access from December 4th, expecting all known under-16s to be off by the December 10 legislated deadline.

Those users identified by Meta as being under 16 through “age estimation” as well as listed account age will have the option to download and save their posts, messages, and videos as well as updating their contact details so Meta can contact them when they do turn 16 – they want the users back after all!

Additionally, users can opt to simply delete their accounts.

Critically, as Messenger is exempt from the legislation, users can continue to use that app.

Meta has also stated that “if someone over 16 is mistakenly flagged (as under 16), they can verify their age using video selfie or government ID”. The company is using third-party provider Yoti for this verification process.

If an account holder simply logs in to update their profile and changes their age to be over 16, they will be asked to verify their age.

Importantly, Meta is calling out the concerns around Age Assurance technology such as video selfies which have known shortcomings in accuracy around children of this age. They flag the likelihood of “natural error margins”, and call for the government to consider a different approach such as app-store level age verification, thus putting the onus on Google and Apple for setting children’s ages.

Antigone Davis, vice president and global head of safety, Meta says “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. 

“Though we are committed to compliance, we must also acknowledge the findings of the Age Assurance Technology Trial, which recognises the particular challenges of age assurance at the novel 16 age boundary. We believe a better approach is required: a standard, more accurate, and privacy-preserving system, such as OS/app store-level age verification. This, combined with our investments in ongoing efforts to assure age and verify that signal and age-appropriate experiences like Teen Accounts, offers a more comprehensive protection for young people online.” 

Locally, Meta’s Mia Garlick says “For all our users aged 15 and under, we understand the importance of the treasured memories, connections, and content within your accounts. Look out for our official notifications and follow the instructions to safely preserve and download your digital history across Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. When you turn 16 and can access our apps again all your content will be available exactly as you left it.

“We also ask parents to work with their children to ensure the correct birth date is registered on their social media accounts. Parents remain important partners in promoting the appropriate use of technology within their households as platforms such as ours work to comply with the law.”