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Lesson Info

Post Type
Article
Level
Level 3 / B1
Published
Title
Meta Blocks Under-16 Accounts in Australia
Webpage
https://eslnewsstories.com/articles/2026-01-15-meta-blocks-under-16-accounts-australia/

In this lesson:

  • Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
  • Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
  • Reading Read the main text.
  • Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
  • True or False Check understanding.
  • Multiple Choice Check understanding.
  • Vocab Match Connect words to meanings.
  • Sentence Completion Think about tense, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions to complete sentences.
  • Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
  • Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.

Think Ahead: What problem do you think Meta faces with Australia's under-16 social media rule?

a) Some parents want schools to manage children's accounts.

b) It is hard to check a user's real age online.

c) Teenagers are asking Meta to make a new app.

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.

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

VOCAB LIST

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

Reading

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.

Meta Blocks Under-16 Accounts in Australia

Level 3 Source: bbc.com

Warm-up ā†’ Read & Listen ā†’ Check Understanding ā†’ Language ā†’ Use It

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.

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.

Speaker: Australian Male  Duration: 1:37  Watch on YouTube

Two ways to use this audio:

  • Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
  • Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com 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. TRUEFALSE True

2. The law lets parents approve accounts for children under 16. TRUEFALSE False

3. Meta blocked more Instagram accounts than Facebook accounts in its first week. TRUEFALSE True

4. Meta says age checks should happen at the app store level. TRUEFALSE True

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 YouTubeCorrect

   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 levelCorrect

   d) No age checks needed

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

   a) Teenagers may still get past age checksCorrect

   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 videosCorrect

Vocab Match

Loading vocabulary activity...

Vocab Match

Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.

1. Banf) A rule that stops something.

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

3. Platformd) A website or app where people share content.

4. Approvec) To say something is allowed.

5. Policyb) An official plan or rule.

6. Experta) A person with special knowledge.

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

    Use the past simple for a finished time.

    A) blocked / has blocked / is blocking

    Meta blocked about 550,000 accounts in Australia in the first days of the ban.

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

    Choose the correct relative pronoun.

    B) which / who / where

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

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

    Use the first conditional.

    C) wins / won / will win

    If Britain's Conservative Party wins the next election, it will copy the idea.

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 Meta Blocks Under-16 Accounts in Australia / Level 3

Think Ahead: b

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.
  1. Approve: To say something is allowed.
  2. Policy: An official plan or rule.
  3. Expert: A person with special knowledge.

Sentence Completion:

  1. A) blocked
  2. B) which
  3. C) wins

eslnewsstories.com