Australia has unveiled plans to legislate a world-leading ban on social media access for children under 16. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Australia’s social media ban on Thursday, revealing the government was taking drastic measures to protect children. from the harmful effects of excessive social media use.

This new initiative to ban social media by Australia is expected to become law by the end of 2025.

Australia Banning social media: stronger safeguards for young people online

The proposed measures aim to reduce growing concerns about children’s exposure to social media and its negative impact on their mental and physical health. In particular, the government is tackling issues such as harmful body images for young girls and misogynistic content targeting boys.

“Social media is harming our children and it takes time” said Albanians in a press conference. “I spoke to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They, like me, are concerned about the safety of our children online and I want Australian families to know that the government has your back.”

Albanese highlighted the negative effects of online content on children’s well-being, including issues such as body image distortion and inappropriate material provided to impressionable youth. “What we do is listen and then act,” he added.

Age verification tests and the responsibility of social media platforms

Australia is already testing an age verification system that will help block children’s access to social media platforms. This includes cutting-edge methods such as biometrics and government ID verification to ensure that only those who meet the minimum age requirements will gain access.

Australia’s new laws will set the highest age limit ever imposed globally, with no exceptions for parental consent. This approach represents a significant change from other countries, where parents can often give consent to their children social media services. In France, for example, the government proposed a similar ban for children under 15, but with the option of parental consent.

The government is also ensuring that platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube fall within the scope of this legislation. These platforms are expected to adhere to the new age verification protocols and demonstrate compliance to Australian authorities.

A growing international trend

Other countries have made similar attempts to crack down on social media use among young people, but Australia’s approach is one of the strictest seen yet. The United States, for example, has long required parental consent for children under 13 to access certain digital platforms, while the European Union has discussed age restrictions but has yet to impose a blanket ban.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who backed the policy, highlighted the global impact of the new rules. “What we’re announcing here and what we’re going to legislate will be truly world-leading,” Rowland said. She went on to explain that the legislation will ensure platforms take proactive measures to protect vulnerable children and teenagers from harmful content.

Industry push

While the government has emphasized the importance of protecting children’s mental health, some voices in the industry have expressed concern about the potential negative effects of such a ban. The Digital Industry Group, which represents major platforms such as Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and Google, criticized the move, warning it could lead young people to unregulated parts of Internet.

“Keeping young people safe online is a top priority,” said Sunita Bose, Managing Director of Digital Industry Group. “But the proposed ban on teenagers accessing digital platforms is a 20th-century response to 21st-century challenges. Instead of blocking access through bans, we need to take a balanced approach to creating age-appropriate spaces, developing digital literacy and protecting young people from online harm.”

Moving forward

Despite the criticism, the Australian government is pressing ahead with its plan. The legislation, once passed, will be implemented until 2025, with a review process to follow shortly after its commencement. The government is aiming to set a global standard for how children should be protected in the digital space, signaling its commitment to keeping young Australians safe online.

Albanese’s position is clear: “These tech companies are incredibly powerful. They have algorithms that lead people to certain behaviors. The truth is, young women see images of certain body shapes that have a real impact in the real world. And young men, through the misogynistic material they receive, face difficult challenges in a time of personal growth.”

As the debate continues, Australia’s bold approach will no doubt be closely watched by other nations grappling with similar issues surrounding child safety in the digital age.

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