Media Wire Express Correspondent
Australia is set to introduce groundbreaking legislation that will prohibit social media access for children under the age of 16, a move Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described as essential to protecting youth mental health.
The legislation, if passed, would make Australia the first country to enforce such stringent restrictions, potentially becoming law by late 2025.
The proposed policy, unveiled on November 6, 2024, includes advanced age-verification systems to prevent minors from accessing social media platforms. Methods being trialed include biometric identification and government-issued ID checks. Unlike current laws in other nations, the Australian approach sets the world’s highest age limit for social media, disallows parental consent overrides, and applies to all pre-existing underage accounts.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese said. He cited research showing that excessive social media use can have significant mental health repercussions, especially for adolescents facing pressures related to body image and other harmful content. Albanese noted the particular risks posed to girls who often confront unrealistic beauty standards and to boys who encounter misogynistic material.
The responsibility for compliance would fall on social media companies, not parents, with platforms required to block underage users by verifying their ages. “The onus will be on social media companies to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access,” Albanese stated.
Australia’s opposition Liberal Party supports the measure, indicating bipartisan backing. Public opinion is mixed: some parents see it as a critical move to shield children, while others express concerns about its effects on digital connectivity for young people.
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Mental health experts widely support age-restricted access, with evidence linking social media use to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues in adolescents. If successful, Australia’s policy could influence other countries to adopt similar measures, shaping a global shift toward prioritizing children’s mental health in the digital era.
The proposed law will be introduced to parliament by year’s end, with a 12-month compliance window for social media companies once it passes.
