Australia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s: “World-Leading” Initiative Sparks Debate
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to ban social media for children under 16 years of age, Al Jazeera reports.
The legislation, set to be introduced in parliament this year, will come into effect 12 months after ratification and will affect platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese declared at a press conference, emphasizing that no exemptions will be granted, even with parental consent.
The proposed ban, which garnered broad bipartisan support earlier this year, aims to address growing concerns about the negative impacts of social media on young people’s mental health and well-being.
While several countries have proposed similar measures, Australia’s approach appears to be among the most stringent. France, for instance, banned social media for those under 15 but allowed for parental consent exceptions. The US, meanwhile, requires warning labels on social media platforms detailing their potential effects on youth and parental consent for children under 13.
Analysts, however, have questioned the technical feasibility of enforcing such bans.
Australia’s move comes amid a broader global push to regulate the social media landscape. The country’s online watchdog is engaged in an ongoing battle with Elon Musk’s X, accusing the platform of failing to combat harmful content. Earlier this year, the Australian government also proposed a “combating misinformation” bill, granting sweeping powers to fine tech companies for online safety violations.
