The Australian government is moving forward with a proposal to impose a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced the plan on Thursday, alongside Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, pledging to introduce legislation that would set a minimum age requirement for social media access at 16.
Previously, Albanese had announced plans to propose such legislation by the end of 2024 but had not yet specified the exact age threshold.
The Prime Minister emphasized the growing concern over the harmful effects of social media on young people, stating, “Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it.”
The proposed law would hold social media platforms accountable, requiring them to ensure that users under 16 are restricted from accessing their services.
However, children who manage to bypass the age limit, as well as their parents or guardians, would not face penalties.
The legislation is set to come into effect one year after it is passed by Parliament, with enforcement carried out by the government’s Safety Commissioner.
“This is world-leading legislation, and we want to make sure we’ve got it right,” Albanese said, acknowledging that exemptions might be included to avoid unintended consequences.
Albanese also confirmed plans to consult with state and territory leaders in a special meeting on Friday to discuss the proposal.
As part of the initiative, the federal budget for 2024-25 includes funding for a trial of age-assurance technology, which would help verify users’ ages online and shape the implementation of the new age restriction.
The opposition Coalition has already expressed support for the proposal, agreeing on the necessity of a minimum age limit of 16.
With their backing, Albanese’s Labor Party is expected to have enough votes to pass the legislation in both houses of Parliament.
This move follows increasing concerns over the impact of social media on the mental health and well-being of young Australians, and the government’s commitment to curbing its negative effects.
