Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a landmark proposal on Thursday for a social media ban targeting children under 16, citing concerns over youth safety online. The legislation would mandate social media platforms to enforce age verification, placing responsibility on them to prevent underage access or face substantial fines. This “world-leading” initiative, Albanese emphasized, comes in response to rising concerns from families worried about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and safety.
“We’re drawing a line to protect our kids,” Albanese stated, adding that his decision is backed by discussions with parents and guardians who feel current online safeguards are insufficient. The government clarified that the proposal, which does not allow exemptions even with parental consent, will focus on compliance from social media companies rather than penalizing users or parents.
Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted that platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and YouTube have been consulted on enforcing the age restriction. In response, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, suggested that parental consent and age checks be implemented directly through app stores.
The move has sparked debate among experts and parents. A coalition of over 140 Australian and international specialists recently addressed an open letter to Albanese, warning that an outright ban could hinder children’s learning, social interaction, and access to resources. They argue that age limits may be a blunt approach to addressing complex online risks effectively.
The proposal aligns with global trends; in the U.S., bipartisan lawmakers are advancing similar measures, with age-specific content limits for those under 17. Data from the U.K. media regulator Ofcom shows that despite existing policies, nearly 80% of children in the U.K. had social media accounts by age 12.
