Australia bans social media for under 16s

A ban on the use of social media for people under the age of 16 came into effect at midnight local time in Australia.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube must now block the accounts of users under the age of 16 or face fines of up to $33 million.

The ban, praised by parents and child protection advocates and criticized by tech giants and free speech advocates, represents the first practical attempt to regulate children's access to digital platforms and is expected to serve as a model for other countries considering similar measures.