Australia to ban minors from using social media

PM Albanese announces plans for an age verification trial ahead of new legislation aimed at enforcing the ban

The federal government says it will introduce legislation by the end of 2024 to set an age limit for social media use, likely to be between 14 and 16. PHOTO: The Guardian

The Australian government is set to ban children from using social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, citing growing concerns about the negative impact on their physical and mental health.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans for an age verification trial ahead of new legislation aimed at enforcing the ban.

Albanese said the government is considering setting the minimum age for social media use between 14 and 16 years, with a focus on getting children “off their phones and onto the footy field.”

“Parents are worried sick about their kids’ use of social media,” Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “We are taking this action because enough is enough.”

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton of the Liberal Party, has previously backed a similar ban for those under 16.

Australia’s move follows similar initiatives in countries like China and France, which have imposed restrictions on minors’ social media usage.

However, critics, such as Daniel Angus, a professor of digital communication at Queensland University of Technology, have called the proposed ban “reckless” and a “misguided distraction” that could push young people toward less regulated online spaces while failing to address broader issues on social media platforms.