Australia Moves to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16
The Australian government has announced plans to introduce groundbreaking legislation aimed at banning children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that the proposed laws, which will be introduced in parliament next week, are designed to address the negative impact of social media on youth.
“This initiative is for the parents who are deeply concerned about their children’s online safety,” Albanese stated. “I want Australian families to know that the government is here to support you.”
While many specifics of the legislation are yet to be debated, the government confirmed that the ban will not affect young people already using social media.
Crucially, there will be no exceptions for minors who have parental consent, placing the responsibility on social media companies to ensure they are taking appropriate measures to prevent access by underage users.
Albanese emphasized that there will be no penalties for individuals, with enforcement responsibilities falling to the eSafety Commissioner.
The proposed laws would take effect 12 months after passage and undergo a review afterward. While many experts agree that social media can harm adolescents’ mental health, opinions are divided on the effectiveness of an outright ban.
Critics argue that such measures may only delay young people’s exposure to platforms and do not equip them to navigate online environments safely.
A petition from the 36Months initiative, gathering over 125,000 signatures, argues that children are not ready to safely engage with social media until at least 16.
Supporters of the legislation emphasize the urgent need to protect children from harmful content and online pressures.
As discussions continue, the implications of this proposed ban are set to be closely monitored by both advocates and critics alike.
-BBC
