facebook instagram-accounts deleted Under 16 Years Old : Australia has announced a groundbreaking decision-from December 10, all Facebook, Instagram, and other social media accounts belonging to children under 16 will be deleted if they don’t have parental consent.
Australia’s Landmark Social Media Rule Explained
In a first-of-its-kind move, Australia is set to tighten social media regulations to protect minors online. Starting December 10, children under 16 will not be allowed to use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok without parental approval. This change comes as part of the country’s new Online Safety Act, aimed at reducing exposure to harmful online content and cyber threats.
The law states that any platform failing to comply could face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately ₹270 crore). Experts believe this could soon inspire similar child safety laws around the world.
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Facebook & Instagram Accounts to Be Deleted from December 10
From December 10 onward, any Facebook or Instagram account of a child under 16 created without parental consent will be blocked, suspended, or permanently deleted. Before taking action, the platform will notify affected users with three options-download their data, freeze the profile, or delete the account entirely.
This will be the world’s first nationwide rule specifically targeting underage social media usage. The aim is simple-to protect children from online abuse, scams, and inappropriate content.
AI Will Verify Age of Users
Interestingly, instead of asking for ID documents, social media companies will use AI-based technology to verify users’ age. The system will analyze online behavior -such as likes, comments, and engagement patterns — to estimate the user’s real age. If AI suspects a user might be under 16, the platform will request a selfie verification for confirmation.
Yoti, the company providing age-assurance technology for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, mentioned that it might take users a few weeks to understand and adapt to this new verification process.
Global Impact of Australia’s Online Safety Law
Experts believe Australia’s move will set a global benchmark for child online safety. Many nations are closely watching this implementation. Analysts predict that by 2026, several other countries may adopt similar laws restricting minors’ social media access without parental consent.
With online threats and mental health concerns rising among teens, this bold step could mark the beginning of a new era of digital protection for children worldwide.
FAQ: Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16 Users
Q1: When will the new social media rule start in Australia?
It comes into effect on December 10, banning under-16 children from using social media without parental consent.
Q2: Which platforms are affected by the new rule?
The rule applies to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and other popular social media platforms used by children.
Q3: How will age verification work?
Platforms will use AI technology to estimate user age through online activity and selfie verification instead of ID documents.
Article Summary
Australia becomes the first country to take a strict stand on child online safety. Starting December 10, under-16 Facebook and Instagram accounts will be deleted if they don’t have parental approval. AI tools will help detect user age and ensure compliance.
