Australia has passed the world's first ban on social media use by children under 16 years old, a law that could hurt platforms like X, TikTok, Snap, Facebook and Instagram.

Global tech giants including Meta, TikTok and Google have heavily criticized Australian legislation to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, setting the stage for a policy fight as the government tries to push the bill through parliament this week.

Most tech giants have said they will comply with the ban as the government has imposed a fine of up to $50m if they fail to do so

Australia’s controversial new law barring under-16s from social media is one of the toughest crackdowns yet on platforms including Facebook and TikTok as governments worldwide grasp for ways to protect children from harmful content.

The law would fine social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, X, and Instagram for failing to stop children younger than 16 years old from having accounts.

Last year, France passed legislation that requires children under 15 to get a parent’s permission before getting a social media platform, but local media reports that technical challenges have led to a lack of enforcement. Norway is also hoping to enforce a strict minimum age of 15 to access social media.

Australia’s social media ban for children under the age of 16 will become law after passing the Senate, the upper house of Parliament, even as questions linger over how the new restrictions will be implemented.

Australia’s parliament has passed a law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that criticism by Elon Musk of Australia's social media ban on children under 16 was the X owner pushing an agenda for the social platform, while indicating he was open to talk to the billionaire about the ban,