Albanese seeks state input on kids’ social media ban
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The news: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked the states and territories for input on how a national ban on young Australians using social media can be implemented.
The context: The federal government announced last month that it will move to ban young children using social media platforms, and is considering an age limit of between 14 and 16.
Polling shows broad support for the idea among the Australian public, though the eSafety commissioner and other experts have raised concerns over how age verification, which is under review by the government, would be implemented.
South Australia became the first Australian jurisdiction to impose a similar ban, proposing fines for social media giants — like Facebook and Instagram — which fail to enforce it.
But the Commonwealth is seeking a national standard to ensure the laws are enforceable across the country.
On Friday, Albanese wrote to all premiers and chief ministers asking for evidence on their preferred age limit and whether parental consent should play a role.
Grandfathering the scheme, meaning children under the limit who already have accounts would not be banned, is also under consideration.
All jurisdictions have implemented some form of limit on phone use in schools and Albanese has requested evidence on the efficacy of those moves.
What they said: “Legislating a minimum age for social media access is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them,” Albanese said in a statement.
“Protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility across all governments, as well as industry, civil society and communities.”
The sources: Prime Minister’s press release, ABC News
