Australia plans to ban social media for users under 16 years old. The proposed legislation aims to protect children from the negative effects of social media, including harm to their mental health. The laws would come into force 12 months after they pass and be subject to a review after implementation.
Proposed Legislation Aims to Mitigate Harm Caused by Social Media on Australian Children
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Announces Plans for Social Media Ban
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the government consulted with parents, social media platforms, and experts about the age limit. He emphasized that the proposed laws were designed to protect children from the negative effects of social media, including harm to their mental health.
Details of Proposed Legislation
No Penalties for Users, Enforcement by eSafety Commissioner
There would be no penalties for users, and the enforcement of the laws would fall under the responsibility of Australia’s online regulator, the eSafety Commissioner. The legislation would come into force 12 months after it passes and be subject to a review after its implementation.
Criticism from Child Rights Advocacy Groups
One of Australia’s largest advocacy groups for child rights has criticized the proposed ban as “too blunt an instrument.” The group, Australian Child Rights Taskforce, called on the government to instead look at imposing “safety standards” on social media platforms. They pointed to UN advice that national policies should aim to provide children with safe access to the digital environment.
Support from Grassroots Campaigners
However, other grassroots campaigners have lobbied the government for the laws, saying bans are needed to protect children from harmful content, misinformation, bullying, and other social pressures. A petition by the 36Months initiative has over 125,000 signatures and argues that excessive social media use is rewiring young brains within a critical window of psychological development.
Prime Minister’s Response to Criticism
When asked about criticism that the government should focus on educating children rather than banning them from social media, Prime Minister Albanese stated that such an approach would be insufficient because it assumes an equal power relationship between children and tech companies. He emphasized that these companies are incredibly powerful and have algorithms that drive people towards certain behavior.
Expert Opinions on Social Media Ban
While many experts agree that social media platforms can harm the mental health of adolescents, some are skeptical about the efficacy of trying to outlaw them altogether. Some researchers argue that bans only delay young people’s exposure to apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, rather than teaching them how to navigate complex online spaces.
Criticism from Advocacy Groups
One of Australia’s largest advocacy groups for child rights has criticized the proposed ban as “too blunt an instrument.” The group has called on the government to instead impose “safety standards” on social media platforms. The Australian Child Rights Taskforce pointed to UN advice that national policies should be aimed at providing children with safe access to online spaces.
Grassroots Campaigners Support Social Media Ban
However, some grassroots campaigners have lobbied the government for the laws, stating that bans are needed to protect children from harmful content, misinformation, bullying, and other social pressures. A petition by the 36Months initiative has over 125,000 signatures, arguing that children are not yet ready to navigate online social networks safely until at least 16.
