Meta has blocked around 550,000 accounts in the first days after Australia started its new social media ban for under-16 users. The law, passed in December, requires platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Threads to stop Australians under 16 from having accounts. Meta reported blocking 330,639 Instagram accounts, 173,497 Facebook accounts, and 39,916 Threads accounts to comply with the law. The Australian government and campaigners say this ban is needed to protect children from harmful content and unsafe algorithms. Meta agrees children need more safety online but argues for different measures. "We call on the Australian government to engage with industry constructively to find a better way forward, such as incentivising all of industry to raise the standard in providing safe, privacy-preserving, age appropriate experiences online, instead of blanket bans," Meta said in a blog update. Meta also suggests age verification should happen at the app store level, which they say would reduce the burden on regulators and apps. They recommend allowing parental approval exceptions to provide consistent protections across all apps and to avoid young users moving between apps to bypass the ban. Australia's law is unique because it has the world’s strictest rules with no parental approval exemption. Other places like Florida and the European Union have experimented with social media limits for children but allow more flexibility. The Australian ban is popular with many parents and political leaders, with the UK's Conservative party promising to adopt similar rules if they win the next election. Still, experts warn that kids might bypass the ban by tricking age checks or using less safe parts of the internet. Many children and mental health advocates argue the ban may cut off young people’s social connections, especially those in LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, or rural communities. They also worry it could leave kids less prepared for real life on the web.