Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has begun notifying thousands of young Australians about upcoming changes that will restrict access to its platforms. Beginning December 10, customers under the age of 16 will lose access to these services. This amendment is now a key feature of a new compliance measure stipulated by Australia’s laws. This legislation would be a major step toward protecting our kids from all the ways they could be harmed online.
The company has notably reached out to young users between the ages of 13-15 through SMS and email. They’re calling on them to allow downloads of their digital histories and consider deleting their accounts. These notifications started appearing on December 4, providing users with a two-week period to take action. Meta estimates that there are 350,000 Australians aged 13 to 15 on Instagram and around 150,000 on Facebook.
Antigone Davis, vice president and global head of safety at Meta, focused on the critical need for age verification. She thinks it needs to be better integrated into the app sign up process. She stated, “We believe a better approach is required: a standard, more accurate, and privacy-preserving system, such as OS/app store-level age verification.” This means that app stores—the Apple App Store and Google Play—have an important part to do. They can play a role in making sure users are of the appropriate age.
The Australian federal government just released a strange new directive. It requires social media companies such as Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube to implement safety measures that protect users younger than 16. Meta is one of the first companies to provide specific information about how it intends to come into compliance with this new regulation. The company then has a reasonable duty to try to enforce these restrictions in an appropriate manner. Otherwise, it threatens to be hit with penalties of as much as 50 million Australian dollars (about $32 million).
Meta is starting to roll out an age verification process. This is important for users who may have been incorrectly notified that their account is in default. If you’re aged 16 or over, and you were misinformed that you cannot continue, please contact Yoti Age Verification. They have to assist you verify your age. To address this, they might provide government issued ID or fill out a “video selfie” to verify their identity.
In light of these developments, Davis noted, “This combined with our investments in ongoing efforts to assure age…offers a more comprehensive protection for young people online.” These measures are required to be expected under Australian Law. In addition, they advocate for young users’ online safety.
Dany Elachi, a spokesperson for Meta, said that the company will do everything it can to support families as this all-new transition unfolds. “We will start notifying impacted teens today to give them the opportunity to save their contacts and memories,” he stated. Elachi further remarked on the legislation’s underlying principle, saying, “There are aspects of the legislation that we’re not entirely supportive of, but the principle that children under the age of 16 are better off in the real world is something we advocated for and are in favor of.”
In an acknowledgement of these new regulatory changes, Meta is in the process of rolling out new tools to address these age restrictions. Their mission is to make the online world a safer place for young Australians.
