Industry data shows many Australian teenagers are still accessing social media platforms months after the country introduced a ban for users under 16.

Britain’s regulators are stepping up pressure on major social media platforms to strengthen age checks and better protect children online.

Many parents worry about the impact of social media, but UK MPs have voted against introducing a ban for under-16s.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said platforms will be required to implement strict age verification systems, describing the current online ecosystem as a digital space where regulation has failed to keep children safe.

Swiss authorities have signalled openness to discussing age limits or tighter controls, taking cues from Australia’s recent decision to restrict social media access for children under 16.