Meta to Block Facebook and Instagram for Australians Under 16 Starting Next Month

Australia Blocks SNS Access for Users Under 16
SNS Cited as Cause of Youth Violence and Hate Crimes

As Australia becomes the first country to restrict social networking service (SNS) use by teenagers without requiring parental consent, Meta has announced it will delete the accounts of users under the age of 16.

According to AFP, Bloomberg, and The Guardian Australia on November 20 (local time), Meta issued a statement saying it will delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts belonging to Australian users under the age of 16 by December 10, when the SNS ban policy takes effect.

Australia will implement a new law from December 10 that prohibits SNS use by teenagers under the age of 16. As a result, Australian teens under 16 will no longer be able to use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or X. However, once they turn 16, they will be able to reactivate and access their previous accounts.

According to the law, major SNS platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X are required to block access for users under 16. Failure to comply may result in a fine of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 47 billion won).

The Australian government has decided to restrict SNS use by teenagers because SNS was identified as one of the causes of recent incidents involving youth violence and hate crimes.

In April last year, a 16-year-old boy attacked a bishop with a weapon at a church in Sydney. According to local media reports, the boy was affiliated with an extremist group that is known to have expanded its influence through SNS.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.