Australia approved on Thursday a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.

Children under the age of 16 will be banned from using social media in Australia from the end of next year after the Senate approved the world’s strictest rules on the matter.

A social media ban for children under 16 passed the Australian Parliament on Friday in a world-first law. The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to $33 million (A$50 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts.