Australia’s government introduced a proposal that would ban children under 16 from social media. The country’s Prime Minister called it “world-leading” legislation.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. “I want Australian parents and families to know that the government has your back.”
The proposed law will go to Australia’s parliament next week.
It would be a contrast from the ban France proposed last year for kids 15 and under. That ban allowed them to avoid the ban with parental consent.
Australia’s proposal wouldn’t allow parental consent and the ban would still be implemented to accounts that already exist.
Apps like X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook would also be penalized for violating the age limit, but the children and their parents wouldn’t.
Meta’s head of safety, Antigone Davis said the company would respect the age limitations.
“What’s missing is a deeper discussion on how we can implement protections, otherwise we risk making ourselves feel better like we have taken action, but teens and parents will not find themselves in a better place,” Davis added.
He said that stronger tools and operating systems for parents to control what apps their children use would be a good solution.
Jackie Hallan, a director at the youth mental health service ReachOut opposes the ban citing that 73% of young people across Australia use social media for mental health support.
Some child psychologists think 12 or 13 may be a more realistic age for the ban.
Prime Minister Albanese said there would be exclusions and exemptions in circumstances such as a need to continue access to educational services.
The legislation would go into effect 12 months after it passes.
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