Australia has taken a significant step towards regulating social media use among young people, with all six states and two territories endorsing the federal government’s plan to ban social media for children under 16.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the unanimous decision following a national cabinet meeting, emphasizing the need for uniform rules across the country to provide clarity for parents. The ban aims to address growing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health and safety of young Australians.
Under the proposed legislation, social media companies will be responsible for enforcing age restrictions and face “significant fines” if they fail to comply. The ban is expected to come into effect next year or 12 months after the legislation passes through parliament. While Tasmania initially advocated for a lower age limit of 14, it ultimately agreed to the federal government’s position of 16 years to maintain national uniformity.
Prime Minister Albanese stressed the importance of protecting young Australians and supporting parents and teachers in dealing with social media-related issues.
He stated, “Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians and I am calling time on it,” highlighting the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and mental health of children.
The move represents a bold step in regulating social media use among minors and places Australia at the forefront of global efforts to address the challenges posed by these platforms to young users
