It was bound to happen sooner or later \u2014 a government taking a bold swing at Big Tech. And now, Australia has done just that. Within days of enforcing its new social media law, Meta has already blocked hundreds of thousands of accounts, sparking both applause and outrage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The country\u2019s social media ban<\/a> officially came into force in December, making it illegal for Australians under 16 to have accounts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Threads. The law is the first of its kind to include no parental exemption, effectively cutting off all access for minors, even with adult supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meta said it blocked 550,000 accounts in the first week of compliance \u2014 including over 330,000 on Instagram, 173,000 on Facebook, and nearly 40,000 on Threads, reports BBC<\/a>. The company described the law as a \u201cblanket restriction,\u201d one that may protect some children but could also push others toward riskier corners of the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Supporters of the move call it historic. Advocates for online safety have long argued that social platforms expose children to harmful content, predatory behavior, and toxic algorithms that can shape mental health and self-esteem. The government insists the goal isn\u2019t punishment, but protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n