THE FATBOY SHOW : Australia approves social media ban on under-16s.

Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media, after its parliament approved the world's strictest laws.

The ban, which will not take effect for at least 12 months, could see tech companies fined up to A$50m ($32.5m; £25.7m) if they don't comply.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the legislation is needed to protect young people from the "harms" of social media, something many parent groups have echoed.

But critics say questions over how the ban will work - and its impact on privacy and social connection - have been left unanswered.

This is not the first attempt globally to restrict children's social media use, but the minimum age of 16 is the highest set by any country. Unlike other attempts, it also does not include exemptions for existing users or those with parental consent.

Having passed the Senate by 34 votes to 19 late on Thursday, the bill returned to the House of Representatives where it passed early on Friday.

"We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs," Albanese told reporters afterwards.