Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has announced plans to introduce legislation banning younger teenagers and children from accessing social media. The proposed minimum age for social media use is expected to be between 14 and 16, with the bill set to be introduced by late 2024. This follows a $6.5 million age verification trial funded in May’s budget.
Albanese cited growing parental concerns over the negative effects of platforms like TikTok and Instagram on young people’s physical and mental health. “Parents want their kids off their phones and on the footy field,” he said, signaling the need for action.
However, the effectiveness and enforceability of the ban remain in question. A review by former High Court chief justice Robert French acknowledged potential workarounds, such as VPN usage, and concerns about privacy from mandatory ID collection. Previous international efforts to implement age restrictions, like in the UK and the US, faced significant technical and privacy challenges.
Critics, like digital communication expert Daniel Angus, argue the ban could harm young people by excluding them from meaningful online interactions, while failing to improve the content on social platforms. The legislation’s potential enforcement and long-term impact remain under scrutiny.
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