Meta begins deleting social media accounts of under-16 Aussies

 

US technological giant Meta began deleting the accounts of Australian teenagers under 16 on its social media platforms on Thursday, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported, citing Australian media.

The Australian government plans to ban the use of popular social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and X, by children under the age of 16 starting Dec 10.

Social media companies that fail to remove accounts belonging to users under 16 face fines of up to AU$49.5 million (US$32 million).

Although the law officially comes into effect on Dec 10, Meta has begun deleting Instagram, Facebook, and Threads accounts on Dec 4, the ABC broadcaster reported.

A growing number of countries have been seeking to curb the influence of social media on younger generations.

Denmark, France, Spain, Greece, Indonesia, and Turkey have reportedly been considering mandatory age restrictions for social media users.

Malaysia is similarly restricting social media access for children under 16 starting next year.

- Bernama