AUSTRALIA is set to introduce groundbreaking legislation aimed at banning children under 16 from accessing social media.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the proposed laws, which will be presented to parliament next week, as a measure to combat the “harm” social media poses to young Australians.
The proposed legislation reflects a significant step in addressing the complex issue of online safety for children, sparking a national conversation on balancing protection with digital engagement.
“This one is for the mums and dads,” Albanese stated, noting the government’s commitment to safeguarding children online. The legislation, described as “world-leading,” will place the responsibility on social media platforms to prevent underage access, although it exempts current young users.
The eSafety Commissioner will enforce these laws, with no penalties for individual users. The legislation is slated to take effect 12 months after approval and will undergo a review after implementation.
While experts agree on the potential mental health risks associated with social media, there is debate over the effectiveness of an outright ban. Critics, including the Australian Child Rights Taskforce, argue for imposing “safety standards” rather than a blanket ban. They cite UN advice advocating for policies that ensure safe online engagement for children.
Conversely, some campaigners support the legislation, highlighting the dangers of harmful content and misinformation. The 36Months initiative, with over 125,000 signatures, underscores concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s psychological development.
Prime Minister Albanese dismissed calls for broader educational efforts about online navigation, arguing that tech companies’ powerful algorithms pose an unequal challenge for children.
It’s a real problem, but what the leaders needs to do is more regulations instead of a ban.
We need to educate people and guide them in the right direction. The problem is, sending improper messages to the wrong people via social media.
The biggest challenge with social media and even the Electronic and Print Media, is that politicians and likeminded people uses the platforms to send out messages in a particular language to be intercepted by the wrong uneducated people.