Australia May Prohibit Children from Accessing Social Media
Australia is exploring the option of establishing a minimum age requirement for social media use, which may be set at 16. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed that the nation is contemplating a ban on children accessing social media and other digital platforms due to increasing concerns over mental and physical health.
The proposed legislation, set to be introduced by the end of the year, aims to safeguard Australian children from online dangers while also offering assistance to parents and caregivers.
“The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount,” the PM stated, indicating that the minimum age for using such platforms would likely fall between 14 and 16 years old.
“I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields and the swimming pools and the tennis courts,” Albanese emphasized in a statement released by his office. “We want them to have real experiences with real people because we know that social media is causing social harm.”
The prime minister noted that the legislation would be crafted in collaboration with states and territories and will be guided by a review conducted by the South Australian government as part of its draft laws.
Recently, the South Australian government announced plans to prohibit children under 14 from using social media, with additional provisions suggesting that those aged 14 and 15 would require parental consent to create accounts.
Given that Australia ranks among the top ten countries globally for internet adoption rates, it may become one of the first nations to enforce an age limit on social media usage. Prior efforts, including those by the EU, have faltered due to objections over limiting the online rights of minors.
In June, the eSafety Commission, Australia’s online safety regulator, cautioned that “restriction-based approaches may limit young people’s access to critical support” and could lead them to seek out “less regulated non-mainstream services.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
The proposed legislation, set to be introduced by the end of the year, aims to safeguard Australian children from online dangers while also offering assistance to parents and caregivers.
“The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount,” the PM stated, indicating that the minimum age for using such platforms would likely fall between 14 and 16 years old.
“I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields and the swimming pools and the tennis courts,” Albanese emphasized in a statement released by his office. “We want them to have real experiences with real people because we know that social media is causing social harm.”
The prime minister noted that the legislation would be crafted in collaboration with states and territories and will be guided by a review conducted by the South Australian government as part of its draft laws.
Recently, the South Australian government announced plans to prohibit children under 14 from using social media, with additional provisions suggesting that those aged 14 and 15 would require parental consent to create accounts.
Given that Australia ranks among the top ten countries globally for internet adoption rates, it may become one of the first nations to enforce an age limit on social media usage. Prior efforts, including those by the EU, have faltered due to objections over limiting the online rights of minors.
In June, the eSafety Commission, Australia’s online safety regulator, cautioned that “restriction-based approaches may limit young people’s access to critical support” and could lead them to seek out “less regulated non-mainstream services.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
