CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Children and teenagers under the age of 16 could soon be barred from using social media under new legislation backed by the Australian Labor Party. The bill, set to be introduced by the end of the year, would make Australia one of the first countries to implement a nationwide ban on social media access for minors. The proposed law seeks to protect young people from the potential harms of social media, with the federal government aiming to tighten age verification on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Thursday that the legislation would not allow any grandfathering arrangements, meaning young users already on social media would not be exempt from the new rule, nor would parental consent serve as a basis for exemption.
A New Age Limit for Social Media
The proposal follows earlier discussions around age verification technology and reflects bipartisan support for a higher minimum age. The Labor Party’s decision to set the age limit at 16 aligns with the Coalition’s position, which had advocated for the same minimum age earlier this year.
Prime Minister Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the need for a uniform policy during a virtual national cabinet meeting on Friday, where state and territory leaders are expected to offer their support. “This is world-leading legislation, and we want to make sure we’ve got it right,” Albanese stated, highlighting that the legislation would undergo a review after its first year.
The government has pointed to increasing mental health concerns among young people as a significant reason for the proposal, with Albanese stating, “I’ve spoken to thousands of parents and grandparents, and they are worried sick about the safety of our kids online.”
Responsibility on Platforms, Not Parents
Under the proposed legislation, social media companies would bear the primary responsibility for enforcing the age limit rather than parents. No penalties would be imposed on underage users who attempt to access the platforms.
Minister Rowland acknowledged that while social media can offer benefits, such as staying connected with peers, the potential harms warrant stronger regulatory measures. “As a mother of two young daughters, I understand this personally,” Rowland said. “When it comes to protecting children from the harms caused by content or addictive behaviors, we are on your side.”
The government confirmed that social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and YouTube would be included in the ban, using definitions from the existing Online Safety Act to identify restricted platforms. Platforms deemed “low risk” by the eSafety Commissioner could be exempted under an “exemption framework” included in the legislation.
Bipartisan Support for Stronger Regulation
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman expressed the Coalition’s support for the legislation, describing social media use among young people as a “defining issue of our era.” Coleman, standing with advocacy group 36 Months, which has lobbied for the age limit to be set at 16, emphasized the need for strict regulation without loopholes.
“We do not think that TikTok, Snapchat, or Instagram can ever be made safe for children,” Coleman said. He voiced confidence in the ability to enforce the ban, even if the legislation isn’t perfect.
Meta’s Pushback and Parental Concerns
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, responded critically to the proposal, arguing that parents should have the authority to make decisions regarding their children’s social media access. According to an Ipsos survey commissioned by Meta, 67% of Australian parents prefer to decide on social media access for their children rather than face a non-negotiable ban.
“Parents are rightfully the gatekeepers for their children’s activities,” said Antigone Davis, Meta’s head of global safety. Davis also argued that app stores, rather than individual platforms, would be better suited to enforce age verification, citing privacy concerns over collecting age data from users.
Despite its opposition, Meta stated it would comply with any government decision, though it hopes for a system that respects parental authority. “We’re obviously going to comply with whatever government decision is made, but I would love for us to see a system that really listens to what parents have said,” Davis remarked.
State-Level Initiatives and Future Steps
The federal legislation will be developed in collaboration with states and territories, taking into account a review from South Australia, which is also drafting laws to ban children under 14 from social media. South Australia’s proposed law would enforce strict fines on social media companies that fail to comply with the age limit.
The proposed federal legislation represents a significant shift in Australia’s approach to youth safety online. As the bill advances through parliament, both the government and opposition are calling for measures to protect young Australians, while also addressing the concerns of parents and tech companies.
