Australian Government to Enforce Social Media Age Limit

Government's Commitment to Youth Mental Health

The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has announced that the government is planning to enforce age limits on social media usage. This decision is in response to increasing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health of young people. The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year and is likely to receive bipartisan support, following a call from the Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, to ban social media for those under 16.

Protecting Youth from Social Media Harm

Albanese expressed the government's concern over the harmful effects of social media on young people, stating that it diverts them from real-life experiences and friendships. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the safety and mental and physical health of young people. The federal government's decision to enforce social media age limits follows similar announcements from the Victorian and South Australian governments, which are also planning to ban social media for children under 14.

Legislation Based on Report Findings

The forthcoming legislation will be based on a report by former High Court Chief Justice, Robert French. The report, commissioned by the South Australian Government, suggests banning children under 14 from social media and requiring companies to obtain parental consent for 14 and 15-year-olds to use their platforms. Recent polls indicate strong public support for an age-based social media ban, with 61% of respondents agreeing that the government should restrict social media use for Australians under 17.

Concerns Over Social Media Impact on Youth

The potential harms of social media for children have become more evident over the past decade, particularly with the widespread use of smartphones. Research by Australia’s online safety regulator, eSafety, found that 75% of 16 to 18-year-olds had been exposed to online pornography. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of 14-17-year-olds have viewed potentially harmful content in the past year. There are also concerns about online predators targeting children.

Debate Over Social Media Ban

While some support the proposed laws to protect children, others express concern that banning children's access to social media could cause unintended harm. Dr Dana McKay of RMIT University suggests that rather than banning children from social media, the focus should be on making it safer. She believes that many of the issues can be addressed by reducing advertising and detecting and addressing harmful interactions.

Implementation of Age Assurance Laws

The specifics of the new age assurance laws and technology are yet to be revealed, but the concept has been in development for a while. The Federal Government has invested $6.5 million in a trial of age assurance technology, which will be used to enforce the social media age limit. Additionally, eSafety has asked digital industry associations to propose improved industry codes to limit children’s access to inappropriate online content.

Bottom Line

The Australian Government's decision to enforce age limits on social media usage is a significant step towards protecting the mental health of young people. However, the debate continues on whether banning children from social media is the best solution or if efforts should be directed towards making social media safer. What are your thoughts on this matter? Share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.