Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media after its Senate approved the world’s toughest laws, the BBC reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ban, which will not come into force for at least 12 months, could result in a penalty of 50 million Australian dollars for technology companies if they do not comply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the law is needed to protect young people from the “harm” caused by social media, a claim often repeated by many parental groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, critics say questions about how the ban will work, and its impact on privacy and social connections, remain unanswered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is not the first attempt to restrict children’s use of social media, but it includes the highest age limit set by any country and does not include exemptions for existing users or those with parental consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n