Kids under 16 to be banned from social media, says Albanese
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: The Albanese government will attempt to ban anyone under the age of 16 from using social media, answering a key question over its election commitment.
The context: Last month, the government announced it was exploring a social media ban for teenagers and would consider a threshold of between 14 and 16.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland confirmed they will take a proposal for a 16-year threshold to national cabinet this week. Albanese argued a national framework would be more workable if all jurisdictions agreed on the same age threshold.
The plan will place an onus on social media giants to keep underage users off their platforms.
Many experts are sceptical over the ban’s enforceability, with an age verification trial currently underway. It remains unclear whether the system would include a national ID, or users uploading personal details which would be accessible to social media giants.
Albanese revealed that the eSafety commissioner will provide oversight and enforcement for the ban, which will come into effect a year after it passes parliament. That is despite eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant publicly arguing against the idea, comparing it to banning children from swimming.
The prime minister rejected that comparison on Thursday, arguing it “assumes an equal power relationship” between social media giants and children.
Rowland suggested YouTube “would likely fall within the definition” of a social media company under the proposal.
South Australia is currently the only state implementing a similar ban, with its legislation set to impose a “duty of care” on social media companies. It would require them to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent children aged under 14 from accessing their platforms. Parental consent would be required for children aged between 14 and 16.
It remains unclear whether the SA government will adjust that threshold in line with the one announced by the Commonwealth.
What they said: “They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. And I want Australian parents and families to know that the government has your back. I want parents to be able to say: ‘Sorry, mate, that’s against the law’,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
The source: Prime Minister's press conference
