Australia has taken a bold step to protect young users online. A new law, set to take effect on December 10, will ban social media use for anyone under the age of 16. The regulation demands that major platforms identify and block underage users, or face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. Despite pushing back on the policy earlier, companies like Meta, ByteDance, and Snap have now confirmed they will comply.

During a parliamentary session this week, the tech giants acknowledged that preparations are already underway. Each company has begun identifying accounts belonging to users under 16 and will soon begin notifying them before deactivation.

Hundreds of Thousands of Young Users Affected

The scale of the change is significant. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, reported discovering around 450,000 users under the legal age limit. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, estimated roughly 200,000 Australian users below 16, while Snap, which runs Snapchat, cited about 440,000.

Mia Garlick, Meta’s policy director for Australia and New Zealand, said the company is taking a two-step approach: contacting affected users and offering them the option to either delete their data or have it stored securely until they turn 16. The message, she added, is clear, Meta intends to meet the law’s requirements fully, even as it continues to express concerns about potential downsides.

Tech Giants Voice Reservations but Prepare to Comply

Although all three companies have agreed to follow the new regulation, they remain wary of its broader effects. Ella Woods-Joyce, TikTok’s public policy lead, said the platform is “on track to comply” but hinted that such restrictions could isolate young users from important digital spaces. Snap’s global policy executive, Jennifer Stout, echoed that sentiment, explaining that while the company disagrees with the law, it will still comply out of respect for national regulations.

Previously, these firms warned that cutting teenagers off from mainstream platforms could unintentionally drive them to unregulated online spaces where privacy and safety measures are weaker.

Using Technology to Enforce the Ban

To ensure compliance, the platforms are deploying behavior-tracking tools and third-party age-estimation systems designed to detect underage users. These technologies will monitor usage patterns, interactions, and even facial cues from profile photos to verify user age. The goal, according to company representatives, is to minimize errors while keeping legitimate users unaffected.

A Global Spotlight on Australia’s Decision

Australia’s law has drawn worldwide attention as governments grapple with the mental health risks associated with social media among young people. Many lawmakers are closely watching how effectively this policy is implemented and whether it sets a precedent for other nations to follow.

By December, Meta, TikTok, and Snap are expected to complete all compliance measures. The coming months will reveal how this landmark move reshapes online interactions among Australia’s youngest digital citizens, and whether it sparks a broader shift in how the world protects children online.