Australia has become the first country in the world to introduce a social media ban for children and young people under the age of 16.
They are no longer allowed to have their own accounts on major social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube.
The companies had a year to introduce age verification measures, and violations will result in heavy fines.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp, emails, online games and educational offerings are exempt.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government wants to protect young people from risks such as cyberbullying, problematic consumption and distressing content with the law that came into force on Wednesday.
He says he also wants to give them back a “normal childhood” free from endless scrolling.
Critics claim the the ban is disproportionate, and a legal challenge to it has already been filed with the Supreme Court.
Many are convinced that teenagers Down Under will simply switch to other services where risk and checks are even more difficult to monitor.
Albanese recently admitted that the law is “not perfect” but said it will help save young lives.