Meta is working hard to implement a new ban requiring the removal of all users understood to be under the age of 16 by 10 December.
The company acknowledges that meeting this mandate will require significant, ongoing effort, and it has issued statements detailing its compliance process, the complexities of age verification, and operational instructions for affected users and advertisers.
Meta Executives on Compliance, Technology, and Policy
Antigone Davis, vice president and global head of safety, Meta, discussed the challenges of the new regulation:
“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”.
Davis highlighted the difficulty of accurately confirming age for this specific group and advocated for industry-wide technical solutions:
“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”.
She concluded that this external verification, combined with Meta’s existing investments in age assurance and features like Teen Accounts, “offers a more comprehensive protection for young people online”.
Mia Garlick, regional policy director, Meta, provided instructions for users aged 15 and under who are impacted by the ban:
“For all our users aged 15 and under, we understand the importance of the treasured memories, connections, and content within your accounts”.
Garlick directed these users to protect their history across platforms:
“Look out for our official notifications and follow the instructions to safely preserve and download your digital history across Instagram, Threads, and Facebook”.
She offered reassurance that their content will be protected for future access:
“When you turn 16 and can access our apps again all your content will be available exactly as you left it”.
She also emphasized the crucial role of parents in ensuring accurate data on children’s accounts:
“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”.
Will Easton, VP and managing director, Meta Australia, commented on the policy implications and business impact:
Easton affirmed that Meta supports the overall goal of creating safer online experiences, but expressed reservations about the “blanket ban” approach:
“We share the government’s goal of creating safer, age-appropriate online experiences, however blanket bans bring their own set of challenges”.
He confirmed Meta’s ongoing commitment to protective measures and balancing different needs:
“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”.
Regarding advertising partners, Easton projected minimal disruption due to existing targeting limitations:
“For advertisers, we offered limited opportunities to target younger audiences and expect minimal to no impact on ad performance for most customers following the ban”.
He finished by stressing Meta’s dedication to responsible commercial practices:
“We’re proud to offer advertising solutions that prioritise the safety and well-being of young people, while helping businesses connect with their audiences responsibly”.
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