The Australian government, on Thursday, unveiled new legislation setting a minimum age of 16 for social media use, holding platforms accountable for compliance.
The legislation is set to be introduced in Parliament on November 18, and the age restriction will take effect 12 months after enactment. Platforms like X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook will have this period to block users under 16.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, “Social media is harming our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” expressing concerns shared by many parents and guardians. The legislation aims to address these concerns by regulating young people’s use of social media.
Social media platforms will face penalties for breaching the age limit, but underage users and their parents will not. Albanese emphasized that the responsibility lies with the platforms to prevent access by those under 16.
Meta’s head of safety, Antigone Davis, affirmed the company’s compliance with age restrictions but called for deeper discussions on implementing protections. She suggested that enhanced parental control tools in app stores could be a simple and effective solution.
Over 140 academics have opposed the age limit in an open letter, labeling it “too blunt an instrument.” Albanese mentioned exemptions for educational access, but parental consent will not allow children under 16 to use social media.
Earlier this year, the government trialed age-restriction technologies. The eSafety Commissioner will use these trial results to guide platforms on compliance measures.
Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.