The Albanese Labor Government has announced plans to introduce legislation before the next federal election to enforce age restrictions on social media access for young Australians. This move comes amid growing concerns about the harmful effects of social media on youth mental health and well-being.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described social media’s impact on young people as “a scourge,” citing issues such as online bullying and exposure to harmful content. The government is currently conducting age assurance trials for users between 14 and 16 years old to determine the most appropriate age limit.
“We’re listening to parents,” Albanese stated, emphasising the desire to see children engage in real-world activities rather than spending excessive time on digital devices. The legislation aims to address parents’ concerns and protect children from online harms.
The opposition, led by Peter Dutton, has expressed support for the initiative, having previously committed to introducing a 16-year age limit within 100 days if elected. Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman also stressed the need for substantial penalties to ensure compliance from social media giants.
While the Tech Council of Australia welcomed the government’s commitment to online safety, it stopped short of explicitly endorsing age restrictions. The council’s CEO called for evidence-based, proportionate measures targeted at identified risk areas.
This wider national change closely follows a recent move by the South Australian government to ban social media access for children under 14, with hefty fines for non-compliant platforms.
As the debate continues, the government faces the challenge of determining an appropriate age limit and effective enforcement mechanisms. With both major parties supporting age restrictions, it appears that significant changes to young Australians’ social media access are on the horizon, reflecting a growing national concern about online safety for youth.
For a full reading of the speech, see here.
