CHILDREN will be blocked from access to social media under landmark new reforms in Australia, with the Federal Government announcing new legislation to impose age restrictions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said social media was causing social harm and taking children away from “real friends and real experiences”.
“Australian young people deserve better and I stand with them and with all Australian parents in protecting our kids,” he said.
“The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount.
“We’re supporting parents and keeping kids safe by taking this action, because enough is enough.”
Mr Albanese said federal legislation would be informed by engagement with states and territories through National Cabinet and draw on recent work by former High Court chief justice Robert French.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said Victoria was prepared to introduce state legislation, would prioritise a nationally consistent approach and work with the Commonwealth to help deliver one set of clear rules to keep the tech giants in check.
“Over the coming months, Victoria will also lead a consultation round with parents, schools and children – to make sure their diverse needs and circumstances are considered during the development of the national reforms,” Ms Allan said.
As a “commonsense starting point” for the national laws, Victoria pointed to the model outlined by Mr French in his legal examination prepared for the South Australian Government.
Under this model, social-media access would be prohibited for children aged under 14 and would require parental consent for children aged 14 and 15 to access.
The model also proposed options for enforcement.
Under this model, a mechanism would be provided for social-media services to be exempt if they pose little risk and support healthy development – such as educational sites, or programs designed for diverse learners.
“It’s absolutely time for change,” Ms Allan said.
“There are benefits to social media, but for children, the harms outweigh the good.
“The voices of parents, schools and kids must be heard as we shape these reforms – we’ll make sure of that.”
Mr Albanese said social media platforms had a social responsibility to do the right thing.
“We’re certainly prepared to muscle up against them and to take action as the national government, because they do have a social responsibility here,” he told Channel Nine’s Today program.
“These big multinational companies think they’re above all the people who provide the income for their massive profits that they undertake.”
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the announcement had been made “on the run in response to the Coalition’s leadership on this issue”.
“While the Prime Minister has now said that the government will legislate to set an age limit for children accessing social media, Mr Albanese won’t say what the age limit will be,” Dr Webster said.
“I was on the Select Committee on Social Media and Online Safety and our March 2022 report recommended stronger default privacy and safety settings for children and requiring technology manufacturers to ensure devices have parental control functions.
“The Albanese Government has been weak and indecisive on this issue from the start.”
