Australian lawmakers have passed a bill banning the use of social media by children under 16. The bill requires operators of social media platforms to take measures to stop children from setting up accounts.

The legislation was prompted by growing worries over the downside of internet culture, especially among parents. Children have been driven to suicide by social media pressures.

One of them was Oliver, the only son of Mia Bannister. He took his own life in January at the age of 14 after suffering from anorexia.

Bannister says her son felt he was overweight. He would look up information about dieting on social media, sometimes until late at night, hiding from her.

She says he suffered from an "addiction," pointing out that even "as an adult, you find it hard to stop yourself."

Oliver became obsessed with extreme diet restrictions and exercise. Eventually, he had to be hospitalized. At the time, he weighed under 50 kilograms, having lost 24 kilograms in just nine months.

Bannister believes social media algorithms endlessly pushed content at her son, deepening his insecurity.

She says the ban is not a "silver bullet that will solve all the problems under the sun," but "it's a start."