Australia is planning to introduce minimum age limits for social media usage, citing concerns about the mental and physical health of young people. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that his government will conduct an age verification trial before enacting these laws later this year, according to a Reuters report from Sydney. The age restriction is expected to be set between 14 and 16, though the exact limit has not yet been specified.
Albanese emphasized the importance of getting children off digital devices and encouraging more outdoor physical activity. “I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields and the swimming pools,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The Prime Minister also raised concerns about the social harm caused by excessive use of social media platforms.
The proposed legislation would make Australia one of the first countries to impose an age restriction on social media usage. Previous attempts in other regions, including the European Union, have encountered resistance due to concerns over the potential impact on minors’ online rights.
In response, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, stated its preference for empowering young people by providing tools for parents to guide their children rather than enforcing age restrictions. YouTube (owned by Alphabet) and TikTok did not immediately comment on the proposed regulations.
Australia is known for having a highly active online population, with 80% of its 26 million people using social media. A 2023 University of Sydney study found that three-quarters of Australians aged 12 to 17 have used platforms like YouTube and Instagram.
Summary:
- Australia plans to introduce minimum age limits for social media usage, expected between 14 and 16 years old.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese aims to protect young people’s mental and physical health by reducing screen time.
- Meta (Facebook/Instagram) prefers providing parental tools over restricting access, while YouTube and TikTok have yet to comment.