Australia plans to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, including popular sites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This proposed legislation, announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, aims to protect young people from the mental health risks associated with social media, such as exposure to cyberbullying, misinformation, and addictive behaviors. If passed, the law would place the burden of age verification on social media companies rather than on parents or children themselves, requiring platforms to implement stricter age-checking mechanisms.
This bill has sparked significant debate. Some advocacy groups, like the Australian Child Rights Taskforce, argue the ban is too restrictive and advocate for measures that enforce online safety standards instead of a complete ban. Supporters of the legislation, however, argue that stricter rules are necessary to safeguard young minds from the influence of algorithms that may encourage harmful content. The bill is expected to go through parliamentary debate later this year, with enforcement anticipated about a year after ratification.
This approach reflects growing concerns globally about the influence of social media on young people, with countries like the UK and Norway also exploring similar restrictions.
