CANBERRA / SYDNEY — Social media is about to get stricter for teens in Australia. Starting December 4, 2025, Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, will begin deactivating accounts for users under 16, in line with Australia’s new online safety law. By December 10, all under‑16 accounts are expected to be fully removed.

The Law Behind the Move

The change comes from Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which requires platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under‑16 users from maintaining accounts. The law is part of a larger push to protect young people from online harms, such as exposure to predatory content, cyberbullying, or addictive social media design. Platforms that fail to comply could face fines up to A$49.5 million (~US$32 million).

How Meta Will Enforce It

Meta has already begun notifying affected users (ages 13–15) via in‑app messages, email, and SMS. Starting December 4:

• New account sign-ups for under-16s will be blocked.

• Existing accounts for teens will be deactivated.

• Users can download their data (posts, photos, messages) before removal.

For teens mistakenly flagged, Meta offers age verification via government-issued ID or a “video selfie” through a third-party service. Accounts can be reactivated once users turn 16, “exactly as they left them.”

Global Implications — and Local Takeaways

Although this law applies only to Australia, it signals a shift in global digital norms. Platforms are increasingly expected to verify age, protect minors, and comply with stricter regulations. For local businesses, content creators, and digital marketers in Bukidnon, this is a reminder: audiences can change overnight, and strategies must adapt.

• Teens today may be the next generation of your followers — but tomorrow, access might be limited.

• Age verification and digital safety regulations may eventually reach other markets, including Southeast Asia.

• Platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, and Reddit may face similar rules in the future.

The Debate

Critics argue that age verification systems — including facial scans — may mislabel teens, potentially cutting them off from online communities. Supporters say these steps are necessary to protect youth from the risks of unmonitored social media use.

Whatever the outcome, Australia’s law is one of the most ambitious digital safety measures globally, and companies like Meta are preparing for a new reality: social media is no longer “one-size-fits-all,” and age matters more than ever.

💡 Takeaway for Bukidnon: Even if this isn’t happening in the Philippines yet, keeping up with international digital regulations can help creators and businesses future-proof their strategies. Knowing your audience isn’t just about demographics — it’s about who can legally access your content.