In a move set to make Australia a global frontrunner in online safety regulations, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday that the government will legislate a ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. This groundbreaking package of measures is expected to become law by late next year.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese declared during a press conference. He highlighted concerns over the physical and mental health risks associated with excessive social media use among children, particularly emphasizing the detrimental impact on girls related to body image issues and the exposure of boys to misogynistic content.
Australia is trialing an age-verification system designed to block children from accessing social media platforms. The system may utilize methods such as biometrics or government-issued identification cards to verify users’ ages, marking one of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.
“If you’re a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff at a time when you’re going through life’s changes and maturing, it can be really difficult. What we’re doing is listening and then acting,” Albanese added.
The proposed legislation will be introduced into the Australian parliament this year, with laws set to take effect 12 months after ratification. Importantly, there will be no exemptions—children under 16 will be barred from social media platforms regardless of parental consent, and existing accounts held by minors will also be affected.
“The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access. The onus won’t be on parents or young people,” Albanese emphasized.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland described the measures as “truly world-leading,” noting that affected platforms would include Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, ByteDance’s TikTok, Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), and likely Alphabet’s YouTube.
The opposition Liberal Party has expressed support for the ban, signaling a bipartisan commitment to addressing the issue of online safety for children.
Industry Response and Concerns
The Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI), representing major tech companies such as Meta, TikTok, X, and Alphabet, raised concerns over the proposed ban. DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose warned that restricting access could push young people toward unregulated parts of the internet while severing connections to valuable support networks.
“Keeping young people safe online is a top priority… but the proposed ban for teenagers to access digital platforms is a 20th-century response to 21st-century challenges,” Bose stated. “Rather than blocking access through bans, we need a balanced approach to create age-appropriate spaces, build digital literacy, and protect young people from online harm.”
Global Context
Australia’s stringent approach surpasses similar initiatives proposed by other countries. Last year, France suggested a ban on social media for users under 15, though it allowed parental consent to bypass the restriction. In the United States, technology companies have long been required to seek parental consent before collecting data from children under 13, leading most platforms to prohibit users below that age.
Australia’s proposed age-verification measures are notably pioneering, as no jurisdiction has yet enforced a social media age cut-off using such methods. The trialed technologies may set a precedent for how countries globally approach the complex issue of children’s online safety.
Looking Ahead
As Australia moves forward with this legislation, it ignites a broader conversation about the role of social media in young people’s lives and the responsibilities of governments, parents, and tech companies in safeguarding the well-being of future generations. The world will be watching closely to see how these measures unfold and what impacts they may have on both online safety and digital freedoms.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
