'Not black or white': Teens worldwide react to Australia social media ban

Australia's landmark move to ban under-16s from social media will be closely watched by other countries, which could follow suit with similar laws.

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AFP spoke to teenagers and adults around the world about the Australian ban, which comes in on Wednesday.

Here are some of their reactions:

Mumbai: ‘Nothing is black or white’

At the seafront in India’s Mumbai, 19-year-old Pratigya Jena scrolls with her friends through Instagram videos of a posing influencer and a camel at a beach.

Social media "should be partially banned because according to me nothing is either black or white", the student said.

"Gen Z are very active, they are doing really well on social media. And doing great things, especially young entrepreneurs," Jena said.

At the same time, children watching adult content online "has a very bad effect". At a Mumbai park, cricket coach Pratik Bhurke, 38, said Australia’s move would encourage children to spend time outdoors and could have "great benefits" in India too.

Berlin: ‘Help to detox’

In the chilly German capital, Luna Drewes, 13, is watching selfie-style TikTok clips posted by other young people.