The Albanese government has confirmed it will move to ban the use of social media for children aged under 16.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement on Thursday, saying he was “calling time” on the harm social media is doing to children, especially when it comes to mental health.
“This one’s for the mums and dads,” he said. “I’ve spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online.”
“I want Australian parents and families to know that the Government has your back. I want parents to be able to say, ‘sorry mate, it’s against the law for me to get you to do this’.”
Albanese said the upcoming legislation would put the onus on social media platforms to demonstrate they are taking “reasonable steps” to enforce age restrictions on those under 16. He said it would take the pressure off families, and there would not be any penalties for users.
The eSafety Commissioner will provide oversight and enforce the ban, with it due to come into effect 12 months after it is passed by parliament.
The government is currently running an age assurance trial to look at how the ban will be imposed. On Thursday, Albanese was not able to confirm exactly how social media companies will enforce the age limit.
A new definition of ‘age restricted social media platform’ will be adapted from the existing Online Safety Act.
“This definition will have flexibility to be narrowed through regulations because we want to make sure, for example, that young people can continue to access educational services, for example,” Albanese said.
There will not be any exemptions for children who have parental consent, Albanese said.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, X would be covered by the ban, and that YouTube would likely fall within the definition as well.
“There will need to be measures put in place to ensure that reasonable steps are being taken by the platforms to ensure that that age limit is complied with,” Rowland said.
The government has made the decision to pursue the ban for those aged under 16 despite calls from leading experts, who have warned the proposal to ban social media for children is “too blunt” and would not address some key risks facing children online.
“We understand the risks that social media has for children and young people, and these are well documented. Addressing those risks requires a careful and evidence-based response that acknowledges the role that the digital world plays in contemporary childhood,” a letter sent to the prime minister from the Australian Child Rights Taskforce said.
The experts said a blanket ban on under-16s would be a disincentive for tech companies from making social media platforms safer for children, and this would negatively impact the children who slip through the cracks of ineffective age assurances.
Meanwhile, independent senator Tammy Tyrell isn’t on board with the ban, saying it’s not going to address the real problems facing kids online.
“I understand the intent behind the social media ban. I’m a parent. My kids are grown up now, but I set them up with social media accounts when they were younger. I had the same concerns about online content that parents have today,” she said.
“A ban isn’t the answer. It’s not going to stop kids accessing social platforms and it doesn’t actually address the problems young people are facing online. It’s a feel-good moment for the older generations without asking the people affected what’s best for them.”