The United States President Joe Biden has asked Americans to accept the victory of Republican Party candidate Donald Trump in the presidential election.

On November 6, Trump won the presidential election after exceeding the magic number of 270 electoral college votes.

Trump defeated Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party, who has 219 electoral college votes.

Harris has congratulated Trump on his electoral victory.

During a speech on Thursday at the White House Rose Garden, Biden said, “We accept the choice the country made.”

“I know for some people, it’s time for victory to state the obvious. For others, it’s a time of loss,” the US president said.

“Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other.

“I’ve said many times, you can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbour only when you agree.

“I will do my duty as president. I’ll fulfil my oath and honour the Constitution. On January 20, we will have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.

“Remember, defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dream is calling for you to get back up.

“The America experiment endures. We are going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith.”

The Australian government has pledged to introduce what it described as “world-leading” legislation to ban children under the age of 16 from social media.

Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, confirmed the age limit at a press conference on Thursday.

Albanese said the legislation will be introduced in the country’s parliament during its final two weeks in session this year, beginning on November 18.

The prime minister lamented that social media “was doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it”.

He said the ban would take effect 12 months after the law passes.

Albanese said there would be no penalties for users, and that it would be up to Australia’s online regulator to enforce the laws.

The prime minister added that there will be no exemptions for children who have parental consent, or who already have accounts.

“Today, the minister and I have an important announcement. And this one is for the mums and dads. Social media is doing harm to our kids and I am calling time on it,” he said.

“I have spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. They are worried sick about the safety of our kids online.

“And I want Australian parents and families to know that the government has your back. I want the parents to be able to say ‘sorry it is against the law for me to get you to do this’.

“… The government’s proposed age is 16. And that decision was made in cabinet on Monday. And that proposal will go to the national cabinet that I am conveying.

“The onus will be on parents and young people. There will be no penalty for users. A safety commissioner will provide oversight function and enforcement. The legislation will come into force 12 months after passage. There will also be a review.”

Michelle Rowland, the communications minister, said platforms impacted would include Meta Platforms’ Instagram and Facebook, as well as ByteDance’s TikTok and Elon Musk’s X.

“Alphabet’s YouTube would likely also fall within the scope of the legislation,” she added.

Earlier proposals to introduce a social media age limit have enjoyed broad bipartisan support in Australia.

The Canadian government on Wednesday ordered Chinese-owned TikTok’s business to shutter its operations in the country, citing national security risks.

The order means TikTok must close its offices in Toronto and Vancouver.

In a statement, François-Philippe Champagne, the industry minister, said Canadians can still use the app. He, however, warned them to exercise caution.

Champagne said the ban addresses risks related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.

“The government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content. The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice,” the statement reads in part.

“The government is taking action to address the specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd’s operations in Canada through the establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.”

Champagne said the dissolution order was in accordance with the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that may harm Canada’s national security.

He said the decision was based on information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners.

Reacting in a blog post, TikTok said it will challenge the order in court.

“Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest, and today’s shutdown order will do just that,” it added.

Canada also banned the TikTok app from government-issued devices, arguing that it presents “an unacceptable risk to privacy and security”.

TikTok faces intensifying scrutiny from Europe and America over security and data privacy.