Meta Blocks Under-16 Accounts in Australia

Level 3 Lesson by: Aron Thode Source:bbc.com

How to study this lesson

Ask: (1) Which social media apps do you have? (2) What do you do on social media apps or sites?

A close-up photograph of a smartphone screen displaying the app icons for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, with a large red circle and diagonal line ban symbol superimposed across all four icons.
Some apps are banned for under-16s.

Actions

Meta says it blocked about 550,000 accounts in Australia in the first days of a new social media ban for children. The law, which started in December, tells big platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stop people under 16 from having accounts.

Campaigners and the government say the ban is needed to protect children from harmful content and from systems that push certain videos. Similar limits are being tried in other places, but Australia's rule is the strictest and does not allow parents to approve accounts.

Meta says it supports stronger safety but wants a different method. In its first week of following the law, the company said it blocked 330,639 Instagram accounts. It also blocked 173,497 Facebook accounts and 39,916 Threads accounts.

Meta argues that age checks should happen at the app store level, so rules are easier for apps and officials. It also wants an exception so parents can approve their children's accounts. Meta says this would stop teens from moving to new apps to get around the ban.

The policy is popular with many parents, and some leaders in other countries have praised it. Britain's Conservative Party said it would copy the idea if it wins the next election. However, some experts warn that teenagers may still get past age checks. Also, some young people say the ban could reduce connection and support for teens who already feel isolated.

Vocab List

  • Ban (n.) — A rule that stops something.
  • Account (n.) — A user's profile on a website or app.
  • Platform (n.) — A website or app where people share content.
  • Approve (v.) — To say something is allowed.
  • Policy (n.) — An official plan or rule.
  • Expert (n.) — A person with special knowledge.
  • Children (n.) — Young people who are not adults.
  • Harmful (adj.) — Causing harm or damage.

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

Meta says it blocked about 550,000 (1) __________ in Australia in the first days of a new social media ban for children. The (2) __________, which started in December, tells big platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stop people under 16 from having accounts.

Campaigners and the government say the (3) __________ is needed to protect children from harmful content and from systems that push certain videos. Similar limits are being tried in other places, but Australia's rule is the strictest and does not allow (4) __________ to approve accounts.

Meta says it supports stronger safety but wants a different method. In its first week of following the law, the (5) __________ said it blocked 330,639 Instagram accounts. It also blocked 173,497 Facebook accounts and 39,916 Threads accounts.

Meta argues that age checks should happen at the app store level, so rules are easier for (6) __________ and officials. It also wants an exception so parents can approve their children's accounts. Meta says this would stop teens from moving to new apps to get around the ban.

The policy is popular with many parents, and some leaders in other countries have praised it. Britain's Conservative Party said it would copy the idea if it wins the next election. However, some experts warn that teenagers may still get past age checks. Also, some young people say the ban could reduce connection and support for teens who already feel isolated.

True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • Meta says it blocked about 550,000 accounts in Australia in the first days of the ban.
    The story says Meta blocked about 550,000 accounts in the first days.
  • The law lets parents approve accounts for children under 16.
    The story says the law does not allow parents to approve accounts.
  • Meta blocked more Instagram accounts than Facebook accounts in its first week.
    The story lists more Instagram blocks than Facebook blocks.
  • Meta says age checks should happen at the app store level.
    Meta argues for age checks at the app store level.

True or False

1. Meta says it blocked about 550,000 accounts in Australia in the first days of the ban. T / F

2. The law lets parents approve accounts for children under 16. T / F

3. Meta blocked more Instagram accounts than Facebook accounts in its first week. T / F

4. Meta says age checks should happen at the app store level. T / F

Multiple Choice

1. According to the article, which platforms must stop under-16s from having accounts?

   A) Only Meta's apps

   B) Big platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

   C) All social media platforms worldwide

   D) Only apps owned by Australian companies

2. What does Meta argue would be a better way to check ages?

   A) Having parents check ages directly

   B) Using government ID systems

   C) Checks at the app store level

   D) No age checks needed

3. According to the article, what do some experts worry about?

   A) Teenagers may still get past age checks

   B) It will be too expensive to enforce

   C) It only targets Meta's platforms

   D) Parents disagree with the policy

4. What reason does the article give for why the government supports the ban?

   A) To reduce social media company profits

   B) To help competing platforms grow

   C) To reduce internet usage overall

   D) To protect children from harmful content and systems that push certain videos

Vocab List
  • Ban (n.)
  • Account (n.)
  • Platform (n.)
  • Approve (v.)
  • Policy (n.)
  • Expert (n.)
  • Children (n.)
  • Harmful (adj.)

Vocab Match

Match each vocabulary word with a definition:

1. Ban

2. Account

3. Platform

4. Approve

5. Policy

6. Expert

a) A person with special knowledge.

b) An official plan or rule.

c) To say something is allowed.

d) A website or app where people share content.

e) A user's profile on a website or app.

f) A rule that stops something.

Sentence Completion

  1. Use the past simple for a finished time.

  2. Choose the correct relative pronoun.

  3. Use the first conditional.

1.
1.
1.

Sentence Completion

Choose the correct word for each gap:

  1. Use the past simple for a finished time.

    Meta A) __ __ __ __ __ about 550,000 accounts in Australia in the first days of the ban.

    A. blocked / has blocked / is blocking


  2. Choose the correct relative pronoun.

    The law, B) __ __ __ __ __ started in December, tells big platforms to stop people under 16 from having accounts.

    B. which / who / where


  3. Use the first conditional.

    If Britain's Conservative Party C) __ __ __ __ __ the next election, it will copy the idea.

    C. wins / won / will win


Discussion Questions

  1. What is the most popular social media app these days?
  2. What can be harmful to young people on social media?
  3. How can online connection help young people?
  4. Do you agree with a ban for under-16 accounts? Why or why not?
  5. Is 16 years old the right age to start using social media?
  6. Should parents be able to approve accounts for their children? Why?
  7. Will under-16s try to use social media apps even though they're not supposed to?
  8. What could companies do to make social media safer?
  9. Do you think this policy would be popular in your country? Why or why not?

Answers

Listening: (1) accounts, (2) law, (3) ban, (4) parents, (5) company, (6) apps

True or False:

  1. True. The story says Meta blocked about 550,000 accounts in the first days.
  2. False. The story says the law does not allow parents to approve accounts.
  3. True. The story lists more Instagram blocks than Facebook blocks.
  4. True. Meta argues for age checks at the app store level.

Multiple Choice: B, C, A, D

Vocabulary:

  1. Ban: A rule that stops something.

  2. Account: A user's profile on a website or app.

  3. Platform: A website or app where people share content.

  4. Approve: To say something is allowed.

  5. Policy: An official plan or rule.

  6. Expert: A person with special knowledge.

Sentence Completion:

  1. A) blocked

  2. B) which

  3. C) wins

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