Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media, after its Senate approved the world's strictest laws. The ban - which will not take effect for at least 12 months - could see tech companies fined up to A$50m ($32.

Social media platforms will have one year to work out how they can implement the ban for children under 16 before Australia enforces penalties.

Australian lawmakers today approved a landmark ban on social media for children under 16 in an attempt to address the negative impact of various apps on young people’s physical and mental health.