The Australian government is threatening multimillion dollar fines for social companies that breach a proposed ban on children under 16 from using their service.

Australia's centre-left government on Thursday introduced a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and proposed fines of up to A$49.5 million for social media platforms for systemic breaches.

Australian communications minister says the government won’t force social media users to hand over personal information to tech companies, as children younger than 16 are set to be banned from the platforms.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, criticized proposed legislation in Australia that aims to ban social media for children under 16.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday that his government has rollout a new social media ban on children under 16, leaving the responsibility of policing the law to tech companies.

Legislation to ban social media for under 16s has been introduced in the Australian parliament. The country's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed

Global social media firms could face fines of as much as A$50 million ($32.5 million) if they fail to enforce the Australian government’s new social media ban on children under the age of 16, according to legislation set to be introduced on Thursday.

Australia’s communications minister Michelle Rowland introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children younger than 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents’ toughest challenges.

U.S. billionaire Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, has criticised Australia's proposed law to ban social media for children under 16 and fine social media platforms of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for companies for systemic breaches.

Social media bans for teens are being considered across the world. Newsweek looks at where they're being debated, and the concerns.