Social Media Use for Kids Under 16 Will Be Banned in Australia
NO SOCMED? – Australia is set to implement a law banning children under 16 from using social media.
This proposal, announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on November 7, 2024, is part of a “world-leading package of measures” that could become law by 2025. The government is currently testing an age-verification system aimed at blocking children from accessing socmed platforms. Albanese emphasized the harm social media does to children, noting its impact on both physical and mental health. He highlighted the dangers for young girls due to harmful body image portrayals, and for boys, the exposure to misogynistic content.
The law would make Australia the first country to use age verification methods, like biometrics or government IDs, to enforce social media age limits. The ban would apply universally, with no exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing social media accounts. It is considered the strictest policy of its kind globally, with a higher age limit than any other country. This move follows growing concerns about the negative effects of social media on youth, with other countries also exploring similar measures, though Australia’s approach is more stringent.
The bill will be introduced in the Australian Parliament in 2024, with enforcement set to begin 12 months after ratification. The opposition Liberal Party supports the proposal, and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland described it as “world-leading.” The law would affect platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Google, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. TikTok declined to comment on the proposal.
Some critics, including the Digital Industry Group, argue that the ban could push young people toward unregulated parts of the internet and that a more balanced approach should be taken, focusing on age-appropriate online spaces, digital literacy, and online safety. Similar proposals have been made in France and the U.S., but Australia’s law would be the most comprehensive.