top of page

Australia proposes 'world-leading' ban on social media for children under 16

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference at the Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, June 17, 2024. Lukas Coch/File Photo
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference at the Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, June 17, 2024. Lukas Coch/File Photo

SYDNEY - The Australian government will legislate for a ban on social media for children under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday, in what it calls a world-leading package of measures that could become law late next year.


Australia is trialing an age-verification system to assist in blocking children from accessing social media platforms, as part of a range of measures that include some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.


"Social media is doing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it," Albanese told a news conference.


Albanese cited the risks to physical and mental health of children from excessive social media use, in particular the risks to girls from harmful depictions of body image, and misogynist content aimed at boys.



"If you're a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, at a time where you're going through life's changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time and what we're doing is listening and then acting," he said.


A number of countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, though Australia's policy is one of the most stringent.


No jurisdiction so far has tried using age verification methods like biometrics or government identification to enforce a social media age cut-off, two of the methods being trialed.


Australia's other world-first proposals are the highest age limit set by any country, no exemption for parental consent and no exemption for pre-existing accounts.


Legislation will be introduced into the Australian parliament this year, with the laws coming into effect 12 months after being ratified by lawmakers, Albanese said.


The opposition Liberal Party has expressed support for a ban.


There will be no exemptions for children who have parental consent, or who already have accounts.


"The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access," Albanese said. "The onus won't be on parents or young people."


"What we are announcing here and what we will legislate will be truly world leading," Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said.


Rowland said platforms impacted would include Meta Platforms' Instagram and Facebook, as well as Bytedance's TikTok and Elon Musk's X. Alphabet's YouTube would likely also fall within the scope of the legislation, she added.


TikTok declined to comment, while Meta, Alphabet and X did not respond to requests for comment.


The Digital Industry Group, a representative body which includes Meta, TikTok, X and Alphabet's Google as members, said the measure could encourage young people to explore darker, unregulated parts of the internet while cutting their access to support networks.


"Keeping young people safe online is a top priority ... but the proposed ban for teenagers to access digital platforms is a 20th Century response to 21st Century challenges," said DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose.


"Rather than blocking access through bans, we need to take a balanced approach to create age-appropriate spaces, build digital literacy and protect young people from online harm," she added.


France last year proposed a ban on social media for those under 15, though users were able to avoid the ban with parental consent.


The United States has for decades required technology companies to seek parental consent to access the data of children under 13, leading to most social media platforms banning those under that age from accessing their services. (This story has been refiled to correct a typo in the headline)


(Reporting by Alasdair Pal and Byron Kaye in Sydney; Editing by Stephen Coates)

Comments


Top Stories

Advertise Now (1).png
Live: EU Trade Ministers Meet on Trump Tariffs & China Relations | Exports & Trade
02:20:52
China Imposes 34% Tariffs on U.S. Goods | Foreign Ministry Briefing | Trade War | Taiwan
24:42

China Imposes 34% Tariffs on U.S. Goods | Foreign Ministry Briefing | Trade War | Taiwan

Beijing, China — The Chinese Foreign Ministry holds its daily press briefing after announcing a sweeping 34% retaliatory tariff on all U.S. goods effective April 10. Watch for updates on China’s military drills near Taiwan, South China Sea tensions, Indo-Pacific security, Israel-Gaza conflict, and U.S. strikes in Yemen. #China #USChinaTensions #SouthChinaSea #Taiwan #IndoPacific #GazaCrisis #YemenStrikes #TradeWar #Geopolitics #PressBriefing Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Inzaghi & Inter Star Speak Ahead of Bayern UCL Clash | UEFA Champions League | Germany

Live: Inzaghi & Inter Star Speak Ahead of Bayern UCL Clash | UEFA Champions League | Germany

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi and a key player speak to the media ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich. Hear their thoughts on tactics, team spirit, and facing the Bundesliga giants in this high-stakes European battle. Don’t miss this exclusive press conference from Munich! #UCL #ChampionsLeague #InterMilan #BayernMunich #Inzaghi #Football #Soccer #PressConference #FCBINT #UCLQuarterFinal Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Kompany & Bayern Star Talk UCL Clash vs Inter | Press Meet | UEFA Champions League | UCL
Live: Gaza Aid Workers Killed: Palestinian Red Crescent Holds Presser | Israel-Gaza

Live: Gaza Aid Workers Killed: Palestinian Red Crescent Holds Presser | Israel-Gaza

Dr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, addresses the press in Ramallah about the killing of 15 Gaza aid workers. The paramedics were found in a shallow grave a week after they were shot dead. The PRCS and UN officials recovered the bodies. The press conference calls for justice and accountability. #Gaza #RedCrescent #Palestine #Israel #PressConference #AidWorkers #MiddleEastNews #UN Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Arteta & Player Speak Ahead of Arsenal vs Real Madrid Clash | UEFA Champions League | UCL
9.png
Live Streams | Facts | Analysis | Explainers | Breaking News

Get in Touch

Manikondu Pvt Ltd
SY. 130P & 115/1P, ISB Rd
Financial District, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, India 500032
letstalk {at} amaravati (dot) today

Follow us on

  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

© 2024 by Amaravati Today | Privacy Policy | Imprint & Dsiclaimer | CIN: U70200TS2024PTC184435

bottom of page