Australian teenagers will soon face restrictions on their access to social media as the government plans to establish a minimum age requirement between 14 and 16 years old. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced this significant measure, aimed at encouraging young people to engage in more physical activities rather than spending time on digital platforms. The new federal law is set to be implemented in 2024, and it will include an age verification process for accessing popular sites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Albanese described social media as a 'scourge' on youth, emphasizing the importance of real-life experiences over virtual interactions. He expressed a strong preference for children to be active in sports and other outdoor activities, highlighting the detrimental effects of social media on mental and physical health. The Prime Minister's remarks were echoed by South Australia's Premier, Peter Bryden Malinauskas, who proposed stricter measures to protect children from early exposure to addictive platforms.
While the government pushes forward with this initiative, some digital media specialists have voiced skepticism. Experts like Daniel Angus from Queensland University of Technology argue that the proposed age limit may not adequately address the needs of socially disadvantaged young people and could inadvertently push them into lower-quality online environments. Concerns have also been raised about the reliability and privacy implications of age verification technologies.
As Australia takes steps towards regulating social media access for minors, similar discussions are occurring globally. In the United States, a bill to set the minimum age for social media at 13 has been introduced, while in France, President Macron has suggested banning cell phones for children under 11 and social networks for those under 15. These measures reflect a growing recognition of the need to protect young people from the potential harms of social media.
