Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have responded to Australia’s landmark decision.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Foundation has issued a statement, praising Australia’s law prohibiting social media access for children under 16, which comes into force on Wednesday, December 10.

The law targets platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Snapchat, with companies facing penalties of up to AUD$50million (£24.8million) should they fail to prevent young users from accessing their services.

In a statement titled “Australia Takes Bold Action to Protect Kids Online. But It Shouldn’t Have Come to This”, the rcouple’s Foundation praised the Australian Government’s decisive move while cautioning that the measure represents only a temporary solution to a deeper problem within the technology industry.

The foundation lauded the country for recognising and responding to the harmful impact technology companies have had on young people.

“This bold, decisive action to protect children at a critical moment in their development sends a strong signal that a child’s mind is not a commodity to be exploited,” the statement read.

Archewell described the legislation as giving young people “valuable time back in their childhoods”, though it stressed that the ban does not resolve the underlying problems that continue to plague social media platforms.

The Sussexes’s stance of improved online safety measures has received a sppaial backing with the action as the couple  have long advocated to save children from the social media harm.

The statement painted a stark picture of the damage brought by unregulated platforms: “We’ve heard from too many grieving parents. Too many families devastated by cyberbullying, feeds that radicalize kids toward self-harm, and algorithmic manipulation designed to maximize engagement at any cost.”

“The companies ‘unintended consequences’ of a decade ago are now part of their money making strategy, and children have become their collateral,” the statement declared.

However, the Foundation acknowledged that social media possesses considerable capacity for positive impact, noting that platforms can foster creativity, provide educational resources and help young people discover their communities.

Sophie Kinsella, the internationally bestselling author best known for her Confessions of a Shopaholic series, has died at the age of 55.

The mother-of-five battled with cancer (glioblastoma) for three years.

Her family confirmed she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband and five children.

The obituary put up on her Instagram account read, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy).”

“She died peacefully, with her final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy.”

The statement continued, “We can’t imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life.”

“Despite her illness, which she bore with unimaginable courage, Sophie counted herself truly blessed – to have such wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career.”

“She took nothing for granted and was forever grateful for the love she received. She will be missed so much our hearts are breaking,” the emotional note ended.

Born Madeleine Sophie Wickham, Kinsella’s claim to fame were her Shopaholic novels.

The Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic and Shopaholic Abroad inspired a 2009 film adaptation starring Isa Fisher.