Legislation will be introduced before the end of this year to impose age limits on social media with the Prime Minister declaring ‘enough is enough’.
The new laws will force social media giants including Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and X to introduce age verification for users.
Exactly what age limit will be imposed is still to be decided, but Anthony Albanese has confirmed they are looking at somewhere between 14 and 16.
The federal government announced $6.8 million in this year’s budget for a trial of the measure with the results to be discussed with state and territory leaders before a decision on the age limit is determined.
The move follows growing concerns about the harm social media is having on young people with soaring rates of mental health issues that have been linked to the major platforms.
“This is something that is causing social harm and every parent is concerned about what their young ones are having access to,” Anthony Albanese told Nine.
The PM concedes the move will not be easy and is bracing for a battle with the tech giants.
“The result might not be perfect but we need to try and make a difference here.”
