In a bold move to protect younger users, Australia has introduced a pioneering social media ban targeting individuals under the age of 16. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, has begun notifying users aged 13 to 15 that their accounts will be deactivated starting December 4, ahead of the nationwide enforcement on December 10. The ban extends to other major platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the initiative’s goal to ‘let kids be kids,’ despite opposition from tech companies. Meta, while complying, advocates for a law requiring parental consent for under-16s to access social media apps. The Australian internet regulator estimates that 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 Instagram users fall within the affected age group. Meta has urged young users to update their contact details to receive notifications when they become eligible to reopen accounts. Users can download their content before deactivation. To challenge the restriction, teens can submit a ‘video selfie’ for facial age verification or provide government-issued identification. However, a report by the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS) noted that no single verification method is universally effective. Platforms failing to enforce the ban face fines of up to A$50 million. Roblox, a gaming platform, has preemptively restricted under-16s from chatting with adult strangers to avoid inclusion in the ban. The e-Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, highlighted the ban’s aim to shield teens from online risks. The list of impacted platforms includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, while Discord, WhatsApp, and YouTube Kids remain unaffected.