Sharjah24 - AFP: Meta and TikTok confirmed they will comply with Australia’s new social media laws banning users under 16, despite warning that enforcement will be difficult. Starting December 10, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Roblox must remove underage users or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million). The move marks one of the world’s toughest online safety measures as governments worldwide struggle to address social media’s impact on minors.
Australia will, starting December 10, require social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to remove users under the age of 16 as part of sweeping new online safety laws. The landmark restrictions, among the strictest in the world, have drawn global attention as regulators grapple with the challenges of protecting minors on social media.
Both TikTok and Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — acknowledged that enforcing the ban will be difficult but confirmed they will comply. TikTok’s Australia policy lead Ella Woods-Joyce told a Senate hearing that the company “will meet its legislative obligations,” but cautioned the ban could drive young users toward unsafe online spaces.
Meta policy director Mia Garlick said the firm faces “significant engineering and age-assurance challenges” in removing hundreds of thousands of accounts before the deadline. Officials clarified that companies are not required to verify every user’s age but must take “reasonable steps” to detect and deactivate underage accounts.
Technology firms have criticized the legislation as “vague,” “rushed,” and “difficult to enforce.” YouTube’s local spokeswoman Rachel Lord argued the policy, though well-intentioned, may fail to achieve its goal of making children safer online. Australia’s online watchdog has indicated that WhatsApp, Twitch, and Roblox could also fall under the new restrictions.
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