Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to introduce legislation banning social media use for children under the age of 16.
Set to be enacted in 2024, this new law aims to address the social harm associated with social media and promote more face-to-face interactions among young people.
The decision follows a survey by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which revealed that 61% of Australians support restrictions on social media for individuals under 17.
Albanese has expressed a preference for a minimum age of 16 to balance online safety with the developmental needs of adolescents.
In a related development, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has appointed former federal judge Robert French to investigate legal avenues for imposing a social media ban for children under 14.
The federal government will consider French’s recommendations while formulating the new legislation.
Australia joins several countries that have enacted similar restrictions. For instance, in 2018, China implemented strict regulations limiting social media access for minors, including curfews and real-name registration.
Similarly, India has introduced measures to curb online usage among younger audiences, particularly focusing on the impact of excessive screen time on mental health.
