If your household has been buzzing with confusion, group chats, and a few quiet moments of teen panic, you’re not alone. Australia’s new Social Media Minimum Age law officially kicks in on 10 December 2025, banning anyone under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit Kick, Twitch and X. As well as Meta’s Instagram, Facebook and Threads. The announcement first landed a few weeks ago, but with the deadline now days away, the reality is starting to hit. And for many young users, that means wondering what happens to the years of posts, messages and memories sitting inside their apps.
Meta shared its Social Media Ban plan with media on Thursday, 20 November, and this week those changes are becoming real for teens across the country. From that date, Meta began notifying Australian users it believes are between 13 and 15 that they will soon lose access to Instagram, Threads and Facebook. Those notifications come through in-app alerts, emails and even text messages, all giving teens a 14 day window to download and save their content. Meta began blocking new under-16 accounts on 4 December and will revoke all remaining access by 10 December.
For teens, it’s a mix of housekeeping and heartbreak. According to Meta, young users can download their posts, Reels, messages and photos, update their contact details so the company can reach out when they turn 16, or choose to delete their accounts entirely. And while the law will soon place Meta’s suite of social apps off limits, it still allows Messenger — so teens can still stay in touch with friends.
Parents might already be fielding questions from kids who are convinced they’ll lose every memory they’ve ever posted. That’s where Meta’s extra reassurance comes in. The company is encouraging anyone who receives a notification to follow the instructions carefully and save their content.
As Mia Garlick, regional policy director at Meta, puts it, “For all our users aged 15 and under, we understand the importance of the treasured memories, connections, and content within your accounts. Look out for our official notifications and follow the instructions to safely preserve and download your digital history across Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. When you turn 16 and can access our apps again all your content will be available exactly as you left it.”
She also adds a reminder for caregivers: “We also ask parents to work with their children to ensure the correct birth date is registered on their social media accounts. Parents remain important partners in promoting the appropriate use of technology within their households as platforms such as ours work to comply with the law.”
Of course, not every flagged account will be correct. Age estimation is messy at the best of times, let alone at a globally new threshold like 16. And, Meta openly acknowledges this next phase will be complicated.
The company is relying on a data minimisation approach, which means it’s using the least intrusive methods to estimate age and will only request more information if something doesn’t look right. If the system mistakenly flags an older user as under 16, they can verify their age with a video selfie or government ID through trusted partner Yoti.
Antigone Davis, vice president and global head of safety at Meta, acknowledges the hurdles ahead. “While we are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by 10 December, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process.”
She also notes the findings of the government’s own Age Assurance Technology Trial, saying, “Though we are committed to compliance, we must also acknowledge the findings of the Age Assurance Technology Trial, which recognises the particular challenges of age assurance at the novel 16 age boundary. We believe a better approach is required: a standard, more accurate, and privacy-preserving system, such as OS/app store-level age verification. This, combined with our investments in ongoing efforts to assure age and verify that signal and age-appropriate experiences like Teen Accounts, offers a more comprehensive protection for young people online.”
And while the focus is understandably on teens, the changes ripple outward. As Will Easton, VP and managing director of Meta Australia, explains, “We share the government’s goal of creating safer, age-appropriate online experiences, however blanket bans bring their own set of challenges. We have invested in tools and protections to help keep young people safe online, and we will continue to advocate for solutions that balance safety, privacy, and the positive connections young Australians find on our platforms.” He also reassures brands that “we offered limited opportunities to target younger audiences and expect minimal to no impact on ad performance for most customers following the ban.”
It’s a huge shift, one that will reshape the way young Australians experience the digital world. But for now, Meta’s message is clear: download your memories, update your details and take a breath. Your account will be waiting for you at 16.
