Starting December 4, Meta will restrict access for young Australians under 16 to Facebook and Instagram, according to a new Australian law.

Meta has announced that, starting December 4, it will block access for Australian users under the age of 16 to Facebook and Instagram, in accordance with a new law that comes into effect on December 10. This measure will affect approximately 350,000 Instagram users and 150,000 Facebook accounts in Australia. The Australian government imposes penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for non-compliance with the law, but critics warn that the changes are rushed and do not address issues related to privacy and the mental health of young people. Young people and their supporters, such as journalist Leo Puglisi, have expressed concerns about the ban that limits their access to important information. There are also discussions about the risks of collecting personal data and the need to verify users' ages, considering that most young people under 16 do not possess an official form of identification. Other countries, such as New Zealand and Indonesia, are considering similar legislation to protect young people on social media.