The Australian government is preparing to implement a ban on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok for children, citing increasing worries about the adverse effects on their physical and mental health.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an upcoming age verification trial as part of new legislation intended to enforce the ban. The government is considering setting the minimum age for social media use between 14 and 16 years, aiming to encourage children to spend less time on their phones and more time participating in physical activities.
“Parents are worried sick about their kids’ use of social media,” Albanese said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “We are taking this action because enough is enough.”
Opposition leader Peter Dutton from the Liberal Party has previously supported a similar ban for those under 16.
Australia’s proposed ban aligns with efforts in other countries like China and France, which have also imposed restrictions on minors’ social media use.
Critics, including Daniel Angus, a professor of digital communication at Queensland University of Technology, have labeled the ban as “reckless” and a “misguided distraction,” arguing it may push young people to less regulated online spaces and fail to address broader issues associated with social media platforms.
