In a bold move to protect young Australians online, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the government will introduce legislation banning social media for children under 16. The planned law aims to reduce the potential harm caused by social platforms on young users.
"Social Media is Doing Harm to Our Kids"
Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the need for action, saying, “Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I'm calling time on it.” The legislation is set to be introduced this year, with full enforcement expected 12 months after parliamentary approval. Unlike some international policies, Australia’s law will not allow exceptions for users under 16, even with parental consent.
Responsibility on Social Media Companies
Albanese highlighted that the responsibility to enforce these age restrictions will lie with social media companies, not with parents or children. "The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access," he said.
Platforms Targeted by New Law
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland confirmed that popular platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) would fall under the ban, with YouTube likely to be included as well. All four companies were unavailable for comment following the announcement.
Australia's Law Among World’s Strictest
While other countries have made efforts to limit social media use among minors, Australia’s approach stands out. France proposed a similar restriction last year for those under 15, though it included allowances with parental consent. In the United States, tech companies must seek parental consent to access data of users under 13, leading many platforms to block access for that age group entirely.
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