Canberra, Dec. 10 (BNA): Australia has become the first country in the world to impose a comprehensive ban on the use of major social media platforms by children and young people under the age of 16.

A new law that came into effect on Wednesday prohibits this age group from creating personal accounts on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, X, Threads, Kick and Twitch, according to the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

His Excellency Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, said that the measure aims to protect young people from the risks of cyberbullying and harmful content, and to help restore what he described as a "normal childhood" away from endless online browsing.

The ban has faced criticism from several respected parties who described it as a disproportionate measure, and a legal challenge has already been filed against it before the Australian High Court.

N.B, Z.H, Z.I