Tech giant Meta said Thursday it is starting to remove under-16s in Australia from Instagram, Threads and Facebook ahead of the country's world-first social media ban.

Australia is obliging social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to remove and block users younger than 16 by December 10, when the law comes into force.

Platforms face fines of Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million) if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to comply.

"While we are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by 10 December, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process," a Meta spokesperson said.

Younger users can still save and download their online histories, the spokesperson said.

"Before you turn 16, we will notify you that you wi

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