Australia is set to introduce federal legislation that could ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The proposed law, expected to be presented this year, aims to tackle the negative effects of social media on young people, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday.
Albanese expressed his strong preference for setting the minimum age between 14 and 16, with trials for age verification methods planned over the coming months. However, experts have raised concerns about the technical feasibility of enforcing such restrictions.
“I want to see kids off their devices and onto footy fields, swimming pools, and tennis courts,” the Prime Minister told ABC. He emphasized the importance of “real experiences with real people” and highlighted the mental health consequences linked to social media.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has also voiced his support for the age limit, urging swift action to protect children from the dangers of online platforms.
However, experts like Toby Murray from the University of Melbourne are skeptical about the enforcement, citing current age verification methods as unreliable. Some analysts, including Daniel Angus from Queensland University of Technology, warned that the ban could exclude children from positive digital experiences, while others argue that the real issue lies with regulating social media platforms rather than restricting youth access.
Albanese insists that social media companies must take responsibility, criticizing them for not addressing the harms present on their platforms. Australia has been a global leader in pushing for stricter regulation of social media, with its online safety watchdog frequently clashing with platforms like Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter).