The Australian government led by PM Anthony Albanese plans to introduce a new legislation aimed at prohibiting children from using social media platforms, citing concerns over their physical and mental well-being. Albanese said he wanted to see children engage in outdoor activities and interact with one another in person.
"I want kids to have a childhood. I want them off their devices and onto the footy [football] fields and the netball courts. I want them to have real experiences with real people," he said. He said the legislation will be enforced this year.
While he didn't specify the exact age range to be impacted by the proposed ban, he hinted at exploring restrictions for children between 14 and 16 years old. It will be decided after the results of an ongoing age-verification trial, which is entering its final phase this week, are out, reported The Guardian. The trial will enter its third phase on Tuesday.
The proposal comes ahead of the polls expected next year. Earlier, Leader of Opposition in the Australian Parliament Peter Dutton said if elected to power, a social media ban for children will be "at the top of my list for the first 100 days in government". “I can’t understand an argument against putting in place sensible measures,” he said in June.
Albanese also voiced concerns about the negative impact of cyberbullying on children's mental health and the ease with which they can access harmful content on social media. This move follows a request by Australia's eSafety regulator for internet companies to develop an enforceable code to prevent children from accessing inappropriate material, including pornography.
Governments worldwide have faced challenges in restricting social media use among minors due to legal hurdles and technological workarounds. Albanese acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating that if it were simple, governments would have addressed it sooner.
"We recognize that technology evolves rapidly," Albanese commented in a statement. "No government can protect every child from all potential risks, but we must do everything in our power. Parents are extremely anxious about this issue. They’re navigating uncharted territory – no previous generation has faced this type of challenge,” Albanese was quoted as saying by The Guradian
The government is also likely to refer to a report authored by former chief justice Robert French, which South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas commissioned. The report provides a framework for legislating a minimum age.
Malinauskas has suggested setting the age at 14, but it is believed that the federal government may choose a higher threshold. The proposed regulations will apply to social media platforms and relevant digital services, which likely includes gaming.
French's comprehensive 276-page report includes a draft bill that proposes a minimum age of 14. According to the draft bill, social media platforms will be required to obtain parental approval for children aged 14 to 15 before granting access to their services.
The draft legislation would compel social media companies to implement technological safeguards to prevent children within the restricted age group from accessing their platforms.
Malinauskas voiced his support for the federal initiative, stating, “The data is clear that early exposure to addictive social media is harmful to young people. This is similar to the dangers of cigarettes or alcohol. When something harms our children, it’s the government’s duty to step in. We will collaborate closely with the federal government to enforce this restriction, which will be welcomed by parents nationwide.”
Victorian premier Jacinta Allen also revealed that her government plans to restrict minors’ access to social media. "Parents are doing their best to manage online content at home, but it's incredibly challenging," Allen said in a video statement. "It feels like a social media wave that they can’t control." She said that tech companies must be held accountable, as they play a central role in the issue.