Australia to Prohibit Social Media Use for Children

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday a plan to prohibit children from accessing social media.

The government will introduce new legislation in 2024 to set a minimum age for using social media and other related digital platforms, according to Xinhua news agency.

“We recognize the social harm caused by social media, which detracts from real-life interactions and experiences,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

While the legislation will be shaped by consultations with states and territories, Albanese expressed a preference for setting the minimum age at 16 years.

A recent poll by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation revealed that 61 percent of Australians support restricting social media access to those under 17.

Additionally, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has tasked former federal judge Robert French with exploring legal options to restrict social media access for children younger than 14.

The federal government will take French’s review into account while drafting the new legislation.