Australia’s government has announced a groundbreaking proposal to ban social media access for children under the age of 16. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the urgent need for this legislation, stating, “Social media is harming our children, and it’s time to put an end to it.” The proposed law aims to address growing concerns among parents and caregivers about the negative impacts of social media on young people’s mental and physical well-being.
The legislation is set to be introduced in Parliament during its final two weeks of session, starting November 18. If passed, the age restriction will take effect one year later, allowing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) time to implement measures to restrict access for users under 16. Notably, the law will not allow exemptions for children with parental consent or those who already have accounts.
Albanese highlighted that the responsibility for compliance will fall on social media companies, which must demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent underage access. Penalties will be imposed on platforms that fail to comply, while minors and their parents will not face repercussions.
The proposal has sparked a debate among experts and industry representatives. Some argue that such a ban may not effectively address the complexities of online safety and could push young users towards unregulated areas of the internet. Critics, including members of the Digital Industry Group (DIGI), suggest that a more balanced approach focusing on digital literacy and creating age-appropriate online environments would be more effective.
As Australia moves forward with this initiative, it joins a global conversation about regulating children’s interactions with technology in an increasingly digital world.
