The government says unprecedented measures are needed to protect children from "predatory algorithms" filling phone screens with bullying, sex, and violence.A raft of popular apps and websites , Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X among them  face US$33 million fines if they fail to purge Australia-based users younger than 16.

Australia becomes one of the first nations to push back so forcefully against tech companies with immense political power, in a move other countries are looking at closely.

“Enough is enough,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“It is one of the biggest social and cultural changes that our nation has faced.