The Australian government has introduced a bill to prohibit children and teenagers under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need for social media companies to change their practices, as the law imposes strict responsibilities on them for age verification. This unprecedented measure aims to protect youth from the negative impacts of social media, particularly on mental health. The UK government is also considering similar regulations. The bill could impose fines of up to AUD 49.5 million for noncompliance by social media providers.