The statutory minimum age would likely be as high as 16, the PM says

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that his country is considering banning children from using social media and other relevant digital platforms, citing concerns about mental and physical health.

The legislation, to be introduced by the end of the year is being touted as a means of protecting Australian children from online harm, as well as providing support to parents and carers.

“The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount,” the Australian PM said, adding that the minimum age for accessing the online platforms would likely be between 14 and 16.

“I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields and the swimming pools and the tennis courts,” Albanese said in a statement released by his office. “We want them to have real experiences with real people because we know that social media is causing social harm.”

Read more

According to the prime minister, the legislation will be developed in cooperation with states and territories and will “be informed by a review undertaken by the South Australian government as part of its draft laws.”

Last week, the government of the South Australia region announced plans to ban children under the age of 14 from social media. The framework is also expected to see children aged 14 and 15 need parental consent before signing up for the platforms.

Australia, which is ranked among the world’s top ten nations in terms of internet adoption rates, could become one of the first countries to impose an age restriction on social media. Previous attempts, including by the EU, have failed following complaints about reducing the online rights of minors.

In June, Australia’s online safety regulator, the eSafety Commission, warned that “restriction-based approaches may limit young people’s access to critical support” and push them to look for “less regulated non-mainstream services.”