Meta, YouTube, TikTok fight back as Australia's social media restrictions for teens draw closer

In brief: After approving plans to ban those aged under 16 from using social media last year, the Australian government is now considering which of the platforms should be included in the new law. In response, the companies are looking for ways to avoid being added to the ban list, with methods ranging from pleas and security promises to thinly veiled legal threats.

Social media platforms have long criticized Australia's ban on under-16s holding accounts. The law comes into effect this December, meaning the companies only have a few months to plead their cases for exemption.

The Guardian reports that Meta has focused on its teen account settings for Instagram – the image and video sharing site was exposed as one of the worst for teens' mental wellbeing a few years ago. It has also announced new protections relating to direct messages in addition to those that automatically censor nudes ...