Australian PM moves to ban social media for kids under 16

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday said his government will introduce a proposal to keep children off social media. The government formed by his Labor Party is set to present the legislation to parliament next week and the measures would take effect one year after lawmakers give their approval. The ban is aimed at mitigating the harm social media can inflict on young people, Albanese said Thursday during a press conference. He cited the risks to physical and mental health for children who use social media excessively. Children and adolescents who use social media over three hours a day double their risks of mental health problems compared to their peers, a 2023 U.S. report found.

What is the scope of the ban? The ban would cover platforms including X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, said Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. YouTube may also fall within the scope of the legislation, she said. The proposal will not include exemptions for youngsters who already have social media, or whose parents consent to their use of the platforms, she said.

How will it be enforced? Social media platforms would be required to prevent access, Albanese said. If lawmakers pass the legislation, Australia will be the first country to institute a sweeping ban. Meta will respect age limitations set by any government, head of safety for the company Antigone Davis told the Associated Press. But Davis suggested deeper discussions were needed about how to implement protection. Tools for parents to control what apps their children use would be an effective solution, she said.

Is anyone opposed to the legislation? While members of Australia’s Liberal Party have supported the proposal, some independent lawmakers say it is not a good solution. The government has not clarified how it will enforce the ban or address privacy concerns, said Independent Senator Tammy Tyrrell. More than 140 Australian and international experts last month signed an open letter to Albanese calling the ban too blunt and saying it would disincentivize platforms from offering child safety features.

Dig deeper: Listen to Juliana Chan Erikson’s report on The World and Everything in It about how groups are trying to make social media safer for minors.