Meta has started to shut down the social media accounts of under-16s in Australia, several days before the country's social media ban officially comes into effect.

The ban comes into force on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, and is seen as a "world-first." 10 social media giants, including YouTube, X, Snapchat, and TikTok, will be impacted, and anyone who is estimated to be under 16 will have their account deleted or deactivated.

Meta has already commenced the shutting down of accounts on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook – with at least 500,000 accounts expected to be affected.

Interest in the best VPNs is expected as a result of the ban. According to regulations, social media companies must try and "stop under-16s from using VPNs to pretend to be outside Australia."

Meta moves early

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