10-9-2024 (SYDNEY) In a bold move to address growing concerns over the impact of social media on young people, the Australian government has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at prohibiting children from accessing social media platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed this ambitious initiative on Tuesday, citing the potential risks to both physical and mental health as the primary motivators behind the proposed ban.
The centre-left government, led by Albanese, intends to commence an age verification trial in the coming months, paving the way for the implementation of this groundbreaking policy. “Our goal is to encourage children to step away from their devices and engage in real-world activities,” Albanese stated in an interview with ABC News. “We want to see kids on sports fields, in swimming pools, and on tennis courts. It’s crucial that they have authentic experiences with real people, as we’ve observed the social harm caused by excessive social media use.”
While the exact age limits for the ban are yet to be finalised, the Prime Minister indicated that the government is considering a range between 14 and 16 years old. This decision reflects a growing body of research highlighting the detrimental effects of social media on adolescent development and mental health.
Albanese expressed particular concern about the prevalence of cyberbullying and the ease with which children can access potentially harmful content on social media platforms. These worries are not unfounded, as numerous studies have linked excessive social media use to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among young people.
This latest initiative follows on the heels of a July directive from Australia’s eSafety regulator, which called upon internet firms to develop an enforceable code outlining measures to prevent children from accessing pornography and other inappropriate material online. The regulator warned that failure to comply could result in a government-imposed code on the industry.
Australia’s proposed ban is part of a global trend, with several countries attempting to restrict social media use among minors. However, these efforts have faced significant challenges, including legal hurdles and technological workarounds such as virtual private networks (VPNs) that can mask a user’s location.
Acknowledging the complexity of the issue, Albanese stated, “This is a global challenge that governments worldwide are grappling with. We recognise that it’s not a simple or easy problem to solve, otherwise governments would have addressed it earlier.”
