Australia moves to ban social media for children

Australia moves to ban social media for under-16 children in the next 12 months. Government is trying to tackle increasing harmful effects of online platforms on young minds.

Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has proposed a new law to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms. The proposal aims to tackle the growing concerns over the harmful effects of online platforms on young people.

Albanese, along with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, announced that the legislation would enforce a minimum age limit of 16 years for social media users. This move marks a significant step in addressing the risks of social media, according to media reports.

Medialord.ng gathered negative influence form social media has become a serious issue for children and teens in Australia.

Proposed legislation targets online harm

Speaking to reporters in Canberra, Albanese explained that social media is doing harm to kids. He emphasized the need for action, calling the situation a “matter of enormous concern.” The government’s plan is to protect children from the negative impacts of social media, which include mental health problems and exposure to inappropriate content.

The legislation will require social media platforms to restrict access to children under the new age limit. Platforms failing to comply will face penalties. However, the law will not penalize young users or their parents. The government’s Safety Commissioner will enforce the new rules.

Exemptions as Australia moves to ban social media

Albanese assured the public that there would be some exemptions and exclusions. The government intends to avoid unintended consequences while ensuring the legislation is effective. The proposal will come into effect 12 months after parliament passes the law.

A key part of the plan involves trialing age-assurance technology. The government has already allocated funding in the 2024-25 budget to explore this technology. The trial results will help shape the final implementation of the age limit.

Cross-party support 

The opposition Coalition has expressed support for the new age limit. This alignment means the Labor Party has the votes needed to pass the legislation through parliament. Albanese will meet with state and territory leaders to discuss the details of the proposal.

This bold step by Australia aims to set a global precedent for protecting young people online. The legislation could inspire similar policies in other countries concerned about the risks of social media.

As the bill moves forward, the focus is on ensuring that social media platforms become safer for children. Experts have long warned about the dangers children face online, and this law aims to curb those risks. With the backing of both major political parties, the proposal has strong momentum to become law.