Here in Australia, in a just-published YouGov poll (conducted from November 15-21), 77 per cent of the 1515 respondents, indicated they would either “fully” or “somewhat” support such a law here, a significant increase from the 61 per cent support found in an August poll prior to the Government’s official announcement.

In contrast, 23 per cent said they would oppose it.

The Australian ban, which passed the House of Representatives on Friday after getting the OK in the Senate on Thursday, will take effect in 12 months.

The ban will impact platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit and X.

Exemptions will apply for health and education services including YouTube, Messenger Kids and WhatsApp.

The German survey is indicative of the global media attention the ban has received, as foreign governments monitor Australia’s face off with tech giants, speculating how such a ban could be implemented in their own countries.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland gave an interview to Swiss publication Blick, spruiking the reform aimed at protecting young people.

Social media companies have criticised the laws as “rushed” and difficult to enforce, going so far as to warn of unintended consequences on free speech.

Human rights groups have said an outright ban wasn’t a proportionate response, and impinged on the rights of children, despite requirements to take action to secure their wellbeing.

It remains unclear how the measures will be implemented, but verification will be the responsibility of tech companies – not parents.

There are no penalties for users, but companies could face fines in the millions for violations.

Most see social media as a negative for children and youth.

Some 77 per cent of respondents in the German survey said they would either "fully" or "somewhat" support similar legislation in that country.

Altogether 13 per cent said they would either "fully" or "somewhat" oppose a ban, with the remaining respondents saying they didn't know.

The German survey also showed 82 per cent of respondents were either “absolutely certain” or “somewhat certain” that social media had negative effects on children and adolescents.

Nine per cent were either “certain” that platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook did not have negative effects on children and teenagers, or answered the influence question with “rather no”.

The rest stated that they did not know enough about social media to be able to assess this or responded with “don’t know”.

Of those who more likely believed in negative effects, 26 per cent believed the content might be responsible for a negative effect, while 20 per cent feared social media could be addictive.

Some 52 per cent believed both aspects equally contributed to their belief that social media could have negative effects on children and adolescents.

One per cent stated “something else” was responsible for the negative effect or answered with “don’t know”.

The representative online survey was conducted between November 22 and 25 with 1976 eligible voters in Germany aged 18 and older participating nationwide.

Asked if the Federal Government should have waited for the age assurance trial to finish, expected in mid-2025, before legislating, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected it had been rushed.

“This has been an issue that has (been) raised with me more, or at least as much as any other issue by people when I’m out and about,” he told reporters on Friday.

“We’ll work to make sure that it’s got right.

“We don’t argue that its implementation will be perfect ... but we know that it’s the right thing to do.”

(with AAP)