Australia aims to lead with strict social media ban for teens

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated on Thursday that the bill will be submitted to parliament later this year. If passed, the ban will come into effect within 12 months. "Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it," the head of the Australian government said.

Albanese emphasized the negative impact of social platforms on youth. He pointed out that the content young people encounter on social media can give a false perception of the human body. Misogynistic content also poses a threat.

"If you’re a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, at a time where you’re going through life’s changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time and what we’re doing is listening and then acting," added Prime Minister Albanese during the press conference.

The new law would establish the highest age limit for social media use globally, with no exceptions, not even with parental consent or for existing accounts. Compliance with this restriction is to be enforced through age verification, including biometrics and identity documents. Australia is already testing two systems in this area.

The proposed ban would include platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and probably YouTube. The Digital Industry Group (DIGI), representing Meta and TikTok, among others, warns that such restrictions may prompt youth to explore unregulated parts of the internet while also limiting access to support networks.

Many experts share this view. They emphasize that while social media can negatively impact our health, they are unsure whether such a strict ban will bring the desired results. Many suggest that it is far more important to teach young people how to navigate the internet and social media properly.

"Rather than blocking access through bans, we need to take a balanced approach to create age-appropriate spaces, build digital literacy and protect young people from online harm," stated Sunita Bose, managing director of DIGI.