A New Era for Social Media: Underage Account Ban Set to Take Effect
In a significant move that’s making waves in the social media world, Instagram’s parent company Meta, along with TikTok and Snapchat, announced they will comply with an upcoming law banning users under 16 from their platforms. This decision is poised to reshape the landscape of youth engagement online, especially with the law taking effect on December 10.
Despite their reservations, these companies recognize the growing concerns about youth mental health. In a joint statement to parliament, executives expressed that they still believe the ban might not be the best solution for protecting young people. However, they’ve committed to cooperating with the law, which requires platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage users from accessing their services. Non-compliance could lead to hefty fines—up to A$49.5 million, or about $32.5 million!
Interestingly, the social media giants previously argued that restricting access might push young users to less monitored, potentially harmful corners of the internet. They also cited complex implementation issues as a concern. Yet, as Meta’s policy director for Australia, Mia Garlick, mentioned, the company is preparing to reach out to approximately 450,000 accounts confirmed to belong to users under 16. They’ll offer these young users the option to delete their photos or store them until they turn 16.
TikTok reports about 200,000 affected underage accounts in Australia, while Snap has around 440,000. To enforce these changes, they’ll employ automated behavioral-tracking software to identify accounts where users claim to be of age but display behaviors indicative of being under 16. Ella Woods-Joyce, TikTok’s public policy lead, made it clear: “From December 10th, we will have those accounts deactivated.”
Of course, there’s concern about users being mislabeled as underage. Meta and TikTok have stated they’ll guide users towards third-party age-estimation tools to verify their ages. Meanwhile, Snap is still developing a plan to address concerns from users who might feel they’ve been incorrectly blocked.
As these platforms pivot to comply with evolving regulations, it’s essential for all of us—parents, educators, and users—to stay informed and engaged in conversations about safe internet practices. This change marks a notable moment in how social media will interact with its younger audience, emphasizing responsibility alongside innovation.
If you’re looking for more insights or want to join discussions on digital safety and youth engagement, feel free to connect with us at Pro21st. Together, we can navigate the ever-evolving social media landscape!
