The Australian government calls this a world-leading package of measures to prevent physical and mental harm to children through social media apps.
Australia is moving a world-leading package of measures against harm to children aged under 16 from online abuse. In a surprising turn of events, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proposed a strict ban on social media apps from allowing any kind of access to social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and Threads. The Australian Prime Minister calls this a world-leading package, as no country has ever imposed such a drastic measure.
"Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I'm calling time on it," Prime Minister Albanese said in a news conference while explaining the reason behind the step, "If you're a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, at a time where you're going through life's changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time and what we're doing is listening and then acting.”
The Albanese government cites risks to the physical and mental health of children at a time when they are most vulnerable. The exposure they get at this age will define their mental and physical growth, and social media is not the right place to influence it, according to the government.
Australia is trialing an age-verification system to assist in blocking children under 16 from accessing all social media platforms. The social media companies will bear the onus of restricting them as their platforms are the core hubs of content that depict harmful body images in girls and misogynist ideologies in boys.
A number of countries have already vowed to introduce strict restrictions, parental controls, and adult access-blocking techniques to prevent children from being exposed to harmful content. On the other hand, Australian legislation provides no exemptions for parental consent or control, pushing a complete ban.
Albanese said that the proposed bill will be introduced in the Parliament this year, and the laws will likely come into effect 12 months after being scrutinized by lawmakers. The opposition Liberal Party has given complete support to the move, eliminating chances of roadblocks in the Parliament.
Last year, France introduced a similar social media ban for children below 15, but underage users somehow overcame the restrictions with the exception of parental consent. Top Social media app companies have refused to individually comment on Australia’s proposal to maintain a unified statement as part of the Digital Industry Group alliance.
