<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Technology giant Meta has told under-16 users of Instagram and Facebook it will start closing accounts weeks before the official social media ban.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From today, the company will send messages to Australian children aged 13 to 15 telling them they will lose access to their accounts on Thursday, December 4.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meta says posts and messages can be saved now as accounts start being blocked ahead of the federal government ban on Wednesday, December 10.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/anz-mass-redundancies-ceo-nuno-matos-not-proud-of-decision-to-lay-off-3500-workers/b23dc996-7a2d-4a12-9c60-931d68da4d83" target="_blank"><strong><span>Bank CEO not proud of decision to lay off thousands of workers</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Meta platform Messenger is not affected by the ban.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In addition to the warning, the company is also giving under-16 users tips about future steps.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They're advised to download and save their posts and private messages before they are deleted.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/meta-to-block-instagram-and-facebook-accounts-early/7d7cbc1e-39f7-43c0-9aea-a96c858d2073" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They should also update their contact details so Meta can contact them when they turn 16.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meta says there is a "margin of error" in estimating the age of all Australian under-16 users and acknowledges there may be some older one mistakenly caught up in the ban.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/epstein-files-what-happens-next-everything-we-know-explained/592dcdd7-bd99-4dba-a547-72cf792fea69" target="_blank"><strong><span>What can we expect to learn once the Epstein files are released?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government-commissioned Age Assurance Technology Trial, found there would be "natural error margins" in accurately defining which users are under 16..</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If someone over 16 believes they mistakenly come under the ban, they can challenge it by establishing their age using a video selfie or government ID through the facial age verification service Yoti.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Any users changing their age from under 16 to over 16 must verify their age.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meta Australia managing director Will Easton said the ban was bringing "challenges", but said the company was committed to keeping young people safe online.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We share the government's goal of creating safer, age-appropriate online experiences, however blanket bans bring their own set of challenges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have invested in tools and protections to help keep young people safe online, and we will continue to advocate for solutions that balance safety, privacy, and the positive connections young Australians find on our platforms."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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