Meta has started removing the profiles of users under 16 in Australia. The action affects Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. The company is doing this to follow Australia’s new social media law for minors.

Last month, Meta warned Australian users aged 13 to 15 that their accounts would close on December 4. The full ban on teen social media use will begin next week.

About 150,000 Facebook accounts and 350,000 Instagram accounts are likely to be deleted. Threads, which works through Instagram, will also become inaccessible for these users.

Meta agrees but raises concerns

Meta said it would follow the law to avoid a $33 million fine. Still, it does not fully agree with how the rules will work.

A Meta spokesperson told BBC that “compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process”. She also said, “While Meta is committed to complying with the law, we believe a more effective, standardised, and privacy-preserving approach is needed.”

Meta shifts responsibility to app stores

Meta argued that app stores should take on greater responsibility for age checks. It wants governments to make app stores verify age and get parental approval before allowing teens under 16 to download apps.

The spokesperson said, “The government should require app stores to verify age and obtain parental approval whenever teens under 16 download apps, eliminating the need for teens to verify their age multiple times across different apps.”

She added, “Social media platforms could then use this verified age information to ensure teens are in age-appropriate experiences.”

YouTube criticises the ban

YouTube also opposed the new law. It said the rules could make young Australians “less safe”. The company argued that under-16 users could still visit the site without an account but would not have access to safety filters.

Australia’s communications minister rejected this claim. She described YouTube’s argument as “weird”.

The European Union moves toward stricter rules

The European Parliament has now called for a region-wide social media ban for anyone under 16. This proposal is one of the strongest moves so far to protect minors online.

Lawmakers linked their decision to growing concerns about anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying among young teens.

French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier supported a ban for children under 15. However, it remains unclear how the EU would enforce a single rule, since member countries control their own age limits.

Strong vote in Parliament

The resolution passed with 483 votes in favour, 92 against, and 86 abstentions. It calls for, Children under 16 to need parental consent to use online platforms, video-sharing sites, and AI companions. A complete ban for children under 13.

Supporters said current age checks do not work. They believe a single rule for everyone aged 16 and above will close the existing gap. Right now, children as young as eight or nine can easily create accounts.