Meta Platforms(US:META) Xin Hua She·2025-11-20 06:50Core Viewpoint - Meta, the parent company of Facebook, will remove social media accounts of users under 16 in Australia starting December 4 to comply with the Australian government's comprehensive ban on social media for minors [1][2] Group 1: Regulatory Compliance - The Australian government mandates that social media platforms, including Facebook, must complete the removal of accounts for users under 16 by December 10, or face significant fines [1] - Approximately 350,000 users aged 13 to 15 are on photo-sharing platforms, and around 150,000 in the same age group have Facebook accounts [1] Group 2: User Notification and Account Recovery - Meta has begun notifying affected users that they will soon be unable to use Facebook, and their profiles will no longer be visible to themselves or others [1] - Users can recover their accounts once they turn 16, and they can contest the removal by providing government-issued proof of age [1] Group 3: Legislative Context - The Australian Federal Parliament passed the "2024 Cybersecurity (Minimum Age for Social Media) Amendment" on November 28, which prohibits minors under 16 from using most social media platforms, with the law taking effect one year later [1] - Australia's strict regulations on minors' social media usage have garnered international attention, with New Zealand and the Netherlands considering similar legislation [1][2] Group 4: Expert Concerns - Some experts express concerns that the law may only have symbolic significance due to challenges in age verification and regulatory enforcement [2]