Australia’s government is introducing new legislation to ban children under 16 from using social media. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Australian social media ban, describing it as “world-leading” and designed to protect Australian children from the harms of online platforms. The government will table the law in parliament next week to address rising concerns about children’s safety online.
Albanese emphasized the importance of the law for parents worried about the dangers their children face on social media. He assured families that the government is taking steps to protect them. However, details on the bill are still being discussed. The law will not affect children already on social media; there will be no exceptions for those with parental consent. Social media companies must prove they are taking reasonable measures to prevent children from accessing their platforms. The eSafety Commissioner will enforce the law, not punish users. The legislation will take effect within 12 months of passing and will undergo a review after implementation.
While there is broad agreement about social media’s negative impact on adolescents, mental health opinions differ on the effectiveness of an outright ban. Instead of teaching youngsters how to navigate online platforms securely, several experts contend that such bans merely postpone their exposure to the internet. Prior attempts to limit access in other areas, such as the EU, have encountered difficulties and opposition from tech firms.
Critics of the ban, including the Australian Child Rights Taskforce, argue that the government should focus on imposing safety standards on social media rather than banning access entirely. However, grassroots groups support the Australian social media ban, citing the need to protect children from harmful content, misinformation, and cyberbullying.
