The Australian government has said it will introduce legislation this year to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms.
The government cited safety and mental and physical health of young people behind taking the decision.
An official press release issued by PM Anthony Albanese’s office said: “A Commonwealth-led approach to this important social issue will ensure Australian children are better protected from online harms and parents and carers are supported.”
Federal legislation will be informed by engagement with States and Territories through the National Cabinet and drawn upon recent work by former Chief Justice, Robert French.
“It also builds upon the Albanese Government’s work to address online harms for young people,” the statement said.
Albanese said the use of social media is doing social harm and even taking kids away from ‘real friends’.
“Australian young people deserve better and I stand with them and with all Australian parents in protecting our kids,” the PM said.
“The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount,” he said.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said: “We will continue to engage experts, young people, advocates and parents through the age assurance trial which is an important aspect of this journey.”
As per Statista website, the number of internet users in Australia is forecast to exceed 23.3 million by 2025.
Critics have argued the proposed move poses a risk to privacy.
Daniel Angus, professor of digital communication at Queensland University of Technology, slammed the proposed ban and called it ‘reckless’.
In the LinkedIn page, Angus wrote: “The Australian federal government’s reckless decision this morning to impose an age ban on youth using social media — before the joint inquiry into social media in Australia has even issued a proper interim report from hundreds of expert submissions — shows utter disregard for evidence-based policy.”
“This knee-jerk move undermines the joint inquiry and deliberative democratic principles and threatens to create serious harm by excluding young people from meaningful, healthy participation in the digital world, potentially driving them to lower quality online spaces, and removing an important means of social connection,” the post further said.
