Australia suggests establishing a legal minimum age for children to access social media

The Australian government announced its intention to introduce legislation this year to set a minimum age requirement for children to use social media platforms. The plan involves implementing age verification technology to prevent children below the ages of 14 to 16 from opening social media accounts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the importance of protecting young people from online harm and the mental health consequences associated with cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content.

This initiative aligns with efforts in other countries and U.S. states that aim to safeguard children’s well-being on social media. There is a growing demand from parents for increased online protection for their children, prompting the Australian government to take action on age verification measures. The opposition party has also promised to enforce a social media ban for children under 16 should they win the upcoming elections scheduled for next year.

Despite the government’s intended protections, concerns have been raised about the potential drawbacks of restricting children’s access to beneficial online resources. Lisa Given, an information technology expert at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, cautioned that such measures could inadvertently prevent children from accessing valuable support systems available on social media.

In a related development, South Australia has put forth a proposal to penalize social media companies that fail to block children under 14 from using their platforms. The broader efforts reflect a growing acknowledgment of the need to address the risks and challenges faced by young users in the digital realm.