Australia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s

Australia Introduces 16+ Age Restriction on Social Media

“I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields and the swimming pools...”

Australia considers banning social media for under-16s, citing online safety concerns. Experts weigh in on the proposed age limit, highlighting potential benefits and drawbacks. Learn more about the plans and the impact on young people's digital lives.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to introduce a ban on children using social media, with a proposed minimum age limit of 16, aimed at reducing screen time and promoting physical activities like sports.

The government plans to introduce federal legislation this year to restrict access to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, citing their harmful impact on young people.

A minimum age limit of 14 to 16 is being considered, although a final decision has yet to be made.

Albanese's initiative aims to protect children from the negative effects of excessive social media use and encourage healthier habits.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed his personal stance, favoring a ban on social media access for users under 16, as part of the government's efforts to protect children online.

The government plans to conduct age verification trials in the coming months, ahead of introducing federal legislation to restrict social media access for minors.

However, experts have cast doubt on the feasibility of enforcing an online age limit, raising concerns about the technical challenges and potential loopholes in the proposed restrictions.

“I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields and the swimming pools and the tennis courts,” Albanese said.

He added, “we want them to have real experiences with real people because we know that social media is causing social harm.

“This is a scourge. We know that there is mental health consequences for what many of the young people have had to deal with.”

Australia's Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, has thrown his support behind the proposal to introduce an age limit on social media, backing the government's move to restrict online access for minors.

“Every day of delay leaves young kids vulnerable to the harms of social media and the time for relying on tech companies to enforce age limits,” he said.

According to Toby Murray, Associate Professor of Computing and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne, it remains unclear whether the necessary technology is currently available to effectively implement and enforce age restrictions on social media platforms.

Experts have warned that introducing an age limit on social media may not necessarily yield positive outcomes for children who are already struggling, and could potentially do more harm than good.

According to Daniel Angus, Director of the Digital Media Research Centre at Queensland University of Technology, imposing age restrictions could have unintended consequences, such as marginalizing young people and denying them access to beneficial online experiences that foster healthy engagement and digital literacy.

Daniel Angus, head of digital media research centre at Queensland University of Technology said, “it threatens to create serious harm by excluding young people from meaningful, healthy participation in the digital world.”

Samantha Schulz, senior sociologist of education at the University of Adelaide said, “There is logic in establishing boundaries that limit young people's access.”

She further said, “However, young people are not the problem and regulating youth misses the more urgent task of regulating irresponsible social media platforms. Social media is an unavoidable part of young people's lives.”

“These social media companies think they're above everyone,” he told a radio interviewer.

“Well, they have a social responsibility and at the moment, they're not exercising it. And we're determined to make sure that they do,” he said.

Australia is spearheading international efforts to regulate social media, with its online safety authority locked in a contentious battle with Elon Musk's X platform over its content policies and moderation practices.