Australian gov't to ban social media access for children younger than 16

7/11/2024 17:10

        Australian children younger than 16 will be banned from using social media under a proposal put forward by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
        
        Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland on Thursday pledged to legislate a minimum age limit of 16 years for social media access.
        
        The prime minister had previously announced an intention to introduce legislation to parliament for the age limit before the end of 2024 but had not committed to a specific cut-off age.
        
        He said on Thursday that the legislation would take responsibility for enforcing the minimum age limit on social media platforms.
        
        "Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I'm calling time on it," Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
        
        "It's something of enormous concern, and we know the social harm that can be caused, and we know the consequences here."
        
        Under the government's plan, online platforms that fail to restrict access to children will face penalties. Neither users under 16 who manage to access social media nor their parents or guardians will be penalized.