The Federal Government will introduce new laws to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms.
The announcement comes days after the South Australian government announced it will move forward with a ban on social media use for children under the age of 14.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “We are taking this action because enough is enough.“
Announcement
The Government has committed to introducing the legislation “this term”, which means before the next election.
This legislation will be “informed” by a report from High Court Chief Justice Robert French, who advised the SA Government on banning under-14s from social media.
The Federal Government has not confirmed further details on how a proposed ban could work or who would be included in it.
Albanese said: “Australian young people deserve better. I stand with them and with all Australian parents in protecting our kids.”
Coalition
Before this announcement, the Coalition had supported a social media ban on under 16s.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said his party would introduce legislation to ban children from social media in the first 100 days of a Coalition Government if elected at the next election.
South Australia
Over the weekend, the South Australian government announced it would move forward with proposed laws to ban children under 14 from accessing social media.
Under the proposed legislation, social media companies including Instagram and TikTok will be fined if they allow children under 14 to create accounts. It will also require parental consent for 14 and 15-year-olds to make accounts.
The draft proposal will now go out for public consultation.
