MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government made headlines on Thursday as it unveiled legislation aimed at safeguarding the younger generation by setting a 16-year age limit for children to access social media platforms. This groundbreaking initiative also mandates that social media companies take responsibility for ensuring compliance with this new rule.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it,” stated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the announcement. He emphasized the urgent need to protect children in the digital age, highlighting concerns voiced by many parents and caregivers.
The proposed legislation is slated to be introduced in Parliament in its final two weeks of this year, starting November 18. Once approved, the new age limit will go into effect 12 months later, giving platforms such as X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook time to devise ways to block access for Australian children under the age of 16.
Albanese noted, “I’ve spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online.” This proposal comes amid a global conversation on how best to regulate the digital environments that young people are exposed to, particularly concerning smartphones and social media.
To enforce the new rule, social media platforms that fail to comply will face penalties; however, children who are underage as well as their parents will not be subjected to consequences. “The responsibility lies with social media companies to show they are taking the necessary steps to prevent access,” Albanese added, affirming that parents and youths won’t bear the burden of enforcement.
In a response to the proposed legislation, Antigone Davis, head of safety at Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, expressed support for any age restrictions the government intends to implement. However, she cautioned that it is essential to engage in a more in-depth conversation about effectively protecting children online. “Otherwise, we risk just creating a false sense of security without actually improving the situation for teens and their families,” Davis stated.
Some social media companies have not yet issued statements on the legislation; for instance, X did not respond immediately, and TikTok opted not to comment. Advocacy group Digital Industry Group Inc. criticized the age limit, calling it a “20th Century response to 21st Century challenges.” They argued for a more nuanced approach that includes fostering digital literacy and creating age-appropriate online spaces.
Recently, over 140 academics from Australia and around the world, specializing in technology and child welfare, signed an open letter opposing the proposed age limit, labeling it an ineffective measure that could oversimplify complex issues related to online safety.
Some mental health advocates, including Jackie Hallan from youth support service ReachOut, voiced similar concerns. Hallan explained that a significant portion of young Australians seeking mental health support turn to social media platforms for help. She cautioned that a ban might drive these discussions underground, making it harder for young people to seek support due to fear of repercussions.
Child psychologist Philip Tam suggested that an age limit of 12 or 13 would have been more practical and enforceable, expressing a deep concern that the ban could push children’s social media use into a clandestine space. “My real fear honestly is that the problem of social media will simply be driven underground,” Tam stated.
Moreover, Associate Professor Faith Gordon from the Australian National University highlighted concerns about the potential strain such a prohibition could place on family dynamics. While Albanese mentioned that exemptions would be considered for educational purposes, he clarified that parental consent would not grant children under 16 access to social media.
Earlier in the year, the Australian government initiated a trial of age-restriction technologies to help frame the upcoming legislation. The results from this trial will assist the eSafety Commissioner, the official entity responsible for enforcing compliance, in advising social media companies on appropriate measures to take.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland expressed confidence that the year-long implementation period would facilitate a practical transition to the new age limit. “There does need to be enhanced penalties to ensure compliance,” Rowland noted, reinforcing that all companies operating in Australia are expected to adhere to the law.
The primary opposition party has offered in-principle support for the 16-year age limit, with opposition member Paul Fletcher commenting that the necessary technology to enforce such regulations already exists. “It’s not really a technical viability question; it’s a question of their readiness to do it and whether they are willing to bear the costs associated,” Fletcher stated during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He added that strong legislation could achieve positive outcomes, despite claims from platforms that compliance would be challenging.
