Australia aims to ban under-16s from social media use
The Australian government has announced its intention to ban the use of social media by minors under 16. The proposal by the Australian Prime Minister is the most restrictive of its kind in the world.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated on Thursday that the bill will be submitted to parliament later this year. If passed, the ban will come into effect within 12 months. - Social media is a threat to the physical and mental health of children, and it's high time to put an end to it – said the head of the Australian government, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
Albanese emphasised the negative impact of social platforms on youth. He pointed out that the content that young people can encounter on social media gives a false perception of the human body. Misogynistic content is also a threat.
If a 14-year-old, who is experiencing changes due to adolescence, sees such images and receives all these stimuli, they are going through a very tough time – added Prime Minister Albanese during the press conference.
The new law would establish the highest age limit for social media use in the world, with no exceptions, even with parental consent or for existing accounts. Compliance with this restriction is to be enforced through age verification, including biometrics and identity documents. Australia is already testing two systems in this area.
The ban would cover the most popular platforms
The proposed ban would include platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and probably YouTube. The Digital Industry Group (DIGI), representing, among others, Meta and TikTok, warns that such restrictions may prompt youth to explore unregulated parts of the internet, while also limiting access to support networks.
Many experts share this view. They emphasise that while social media can negatively impact our health, they are unsure whether such a strict ban will bring the desired results. Many of them point out that it is far more important to teach young people how to properly navigate the internet and social media.
Instead of blocking access through bans, we must adopt a balanced approach to create age-appropriate spaces, build digital skills, and protect young people from online harm — stated Sunita Bose, managing director of DIGI, as quoted by PAP.
