Australia Considers Age Restrictions for Social Media Users Under 16

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to introduce legislation that would ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media and digital platforms. This move comes amid growing concerns from parents about the harmful effects of social media on young users, with Albanese calling the proposal a step towards “supporting parents and keeping kids safe.”

Speaking on Tuesday, Albanese explained that the government is considering setting the minimum age for social media accounts between 14 and 16. “Parents tell me they’re worried about what age their kids should be on social media,” Albanese wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s about supporting parents and keeping kids safe.”

Albanese also emphasized that social media companies should be held accountable for their role in exposing children to harmful content. “Social media has a social responsibility. They can’t just say, ‘We’re a big multi-national company, we can do whatever we like’ regardless of the harm that’s being caused,” he stated. The age restriction would be a part of broader efforts to ensure social platforms operate with accountability and responsibility in protecting vulnerable young users.

Australia’s planned legislation will:

• Establish a minimum age requirement of 14 to 16 for creating social media accounts.

• Introduce an age-verification system to prevent minors from providing false birth dates to sign up for social media accounts, a loophole that has allowed millions of underage children to access these platforms.

• Follow the example of states like Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation earlier this year banning children under 14 from creating social media accounts.

Albanese pointed out that similar policies, such as banning phones in schools, have shown positive results in reducing distractions and online harm. He hopes that stricter controls on social media access will have the same impact.

Despite the challenges of enforcing such regulations, Albanese remains committed to getting the legislation passed by the end of the year. He acknowledged the complexity of age verification but said, “We know that if we get our youngest Australians off these devices, it can make a positive difference for them.”

This push comes as many parents express frustration over the influence of social media on their children, from exposure to inappropriate content to the negative effects on mental health. Australian lawmakers hope that by setting a minimum age limit, they can help alleviate some of these issues and create a safer online environment for children.

As governments around the world look to curb the dangers of social media for younger users, Australia’s efforts could become a model for other nations grappling with similar concerns.

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