Australia implemented a world-first social media ban for children younger than 16 on Wednesday (December 10). The country’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, hailed the ban as a way for Australian families to “take back power from big tech companies.” In the UK, ministers have said they will be keeping a “close eye” on Australia’s ban; Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, told BBC Breakfast the government would “certainly consider” a ban “not only if it worked, but if young people believe that it was working and trusted that that was a solution”. The Independent asked the public whether they think a similar policy should be introduced in the UK.

Measure follows strong debate about online protections.

Australia has enacted the world's first ban on social media usage for users under the age of 16, in a move expected to be monitored by global lawmakers.