The Australian government has introduced legislation to prohibit children under 16 from using social media, with plans to implement the measure as early as next year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the proposal on Thursday, stating that it is designed to shield minors from the harmful effects of social media.
“Social media is harming our kids, and it’s time to act,” said Albanese. “I’ve heard from thousands of parents, grandparents, and family members who are deeply concerned about the safety of children online. The government wants Australian families to know we’re here to protect them.”
According to Albanese, the legislation, touted as a world-first, would take effect 12 months after passing. Social media companies, rather than parents or children, would be responsible for preventing underage access.
“The proposed age restriction is 16, a decision reached in Monday’s cabinet meeting. I’ll present this proposal at the national cabinet meeting scheduled online tomorrow,” he explained. “It’s up to social media platforms to demonstrate that they’re taking meaningful steps to restrict access, not parents or young people.”
While users won’t face penalties, Australia’s E-Safety Commissioner will oversee and enforce the new rules. Albanese emphasized the importance of monitoring the legislation’s impact with a planned review after its implementation.
Australia’s proposed age limit, which would be among the highest globally, follows similar steps in countries like the UK, France, Belgium, and Spain, where social media use among young people is also limited.
Ban for Safety, Says Minister
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland underscored that while social media provides opportunities for young people to connect, it also exposes them to harmful and addictive content.
Rowland explained that the age limit decision followed consultations with parents, advocacy groups, experts, and other stakeholders.
“We know social media offers benefits for young people to stay connected, find their community, and reach out where geographic isolation might otherwise make that difficult. But we also know that it can bring significant harm,” she said.
Rowland added that social media companies bear the responsibility for protecting minors, yet they often fail to fulfill this duty.
In September, Australia proposed fines of up to 5% of a social media platform’s revenue if it fails to curb misinformation, requiring platforms to implement internal measures to limit false information. Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), criticized the move, calling the Australian government “fascists.”
