Australia Set to Ban Under-16s From Social Media

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Facts

  • Australia on Thursday announced plans to implement a minimum age requirement — likely between 14 and 16 — for social media access. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will convene the national cabinet on Friday to discuss introducing laws to impose penalties on non-compliant platforms.[1]
  • Albanese said that the "world leading" legislation will be introduced in parliament during its final two weeks in session this year and will come into effect 12 months after being ratified. He said social media was "[harming] our kids and I’m calling time on it.”[2]
  • He added that parental consent would not work to enable access to social media. The ban's imposition will reportedly be overseen by Australia's eSafety commissioner, who will issue regulatory guidelines. "This one is for the mums and dads," the Prime Minister said.[3]
  • Australia is reportedly already holding age verification technology trials using biometrics and government identification to enforce restrictions on social media. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the ban would impact platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.[4][5]
  • Some platforms already bar those under 13 from opening accounts, though enforcing the rule is challenging. Meanwhile, the opposition has also committed to similar social media age-based restrictions if it wins the 2025 election.[6][7][8]
  • Australia has often locked horns with technology firms over issues including misinformation and mental health. In 2021, it made Facebook and Google pay for news content, and has previously sued X for failing to remove a terrorist attack video from its platform.[9][10]

Sources: [1]Australian Financial Review, [2]CNN, [3]UPI, [4]Reuters, [5]Al Jazeera, [6]The Conversation, [7]ABC, [8]Associated Press, [9]Bloomberg and [10]SBS News.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Crikey. Social media age restrictions are a necessary step in protecting children from online harm and poor mental health. Parents are deeply concerned about their children's social media exposure and need government support to navigate these challenges. Australia's nationwide approach ensures consistent protection across all territories.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Parenting for a Digital Future. The proposed restrictions constitute a problematic and blunt approach that could harm rather than protect young people. This policy risks cutting off vulnerable youth from valuable online support communities and educational resources. Age verification measures might also push children toward more dangerous corners of the internet while seeking to evade restrictions.