Meta has blocked around 550,000 social media accounts in Australia during the first days of enforcing the country’s new under-16 social media ban, highlighting the immediate impact of what is now the world’s strictest online age restriction policy.
The new law, which came into effect in December, requires major social media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram and Threads—to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from holding accounts. The Australian government says the move is aimed at protecting children from harmful content, addictive algorithms and online exploitation.
According to Meta, 330,639 Instagram accounts, 173,497 Facebook accounts and 39,916 Threads accounts were blocked in the first week of compliance. The company said the removals were carried out as part of its legal obligation under the new legislation.
While Meta has acknowledged the need to improve online safety for young users, it has criticised Australia’s approach. In a blog post, the company urged the government to work more closely with industry, arguing that a blanket ban is not the most effective solution.
Meta has instead proposed age verification at the app store level, saying it would reduce regulatory burdens and ensure consistent protections across platforms. The company has also called for parental consent exemptions, warning that the current system could lead to a “whack-a-mole” effect, where teenagers simply migrate to new or less regulated platforms.
Australia’s policy is being closely watched globally. While other governments—including some US states and the European Union—have experimented with limiting children’s access to social media, Australia is the first to set the minimum age at 16 without allowing parental approval, making it the toughest regime so far.
The ban has strong public support, particularly among parents, and has drawn interest from political leaders abroad. In the UK, the Conservative Party has pledged to introduce a similar ban if it wins the next general election.
However, critics argue the law may be easy to circumvent through false age verification and could push young people toward riskier online spaces. Some mental health advocates and young Australians have also warned the ban could reduce access to social connection and support—especially for LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and rural youths.
As enforcement continues, Australia’s social media ban is shaping up as a global test case, with policymakers worldwide watching closely to see whether it delivers on its promise to make the internet safer for children.
