Australia’s senate has approved a social media ban for children under 16.

According to BBC News, the ban will not take effect for at least 12 months, but when it does it could see tech companies fined up to US$32.5m for failing to comply.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the law is needed to protect young people from the “harms” of social media.

However, critics say questions about how the ban will work, and its impact on privacy and social connection, have been unanswered.