Australia has become the first country to ban social media use for under-16s. From Wednesday, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch, and TikTok had to delete accounts belonging to users under 16 in Australia. They also must block new sign-ups by teens under this age. Any platform refusing to follow the law faces fines up to $49.5 million. While many platforms, except X, confirmed compliance, some glitches have occurred. The government admitted the system may not be perfect immediately. Snapchat used an age-check service called k-ID, which ran hundreds of thousands of age verifications recently. The ban has caused mixed reactions among parents. One parent said her 15-year-old daughter was "very distressed" because her friends got verified as 18, but she was marked under 16, risking social exclusion. Another parent admitted teaching his child to bypass the rules using VPNs and adult accounts. Others welcomed the ban, hoping it would reduce social media addiction. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the law's importance, comparing it to the legal drinking age of 18. "The message this law sends will be 100% clear," he said. Public polls show two-thirds of Australians support raising the minimum social media age to 16, despite some opposition leaders expressing concern. The ban is gaining global attention. Countries like Malaysia, Denmark, and Norway plan similar rules, and the EU is moving toward restrictions. The UK is watching Australia closely. E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she would check in with platforms to monitor their progress, asking about account removals, abuse reporting, and rule enforcement. Platforms ignoring the law could be taken to court for penalties. An independent academic group will study the ban's effects over time. They will examine whether kids spend more time outdoors, improve academically, or face unintended issues like visiting harmful sites or using VPNs to bypass restrictions. Some teens posted their phone numbers on Snapchat before losing account access. Snapchat urged teens "not to publicly share their personal contact information." Authorities have also asked newer platforms like Yope and Lemon8 to self-assess if they should follow the new rules as young users search for alternatives.