The Australian government has announced plans to introduce groundbreaking legislation that would ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the proposed laws as "world-leading," emphasizing that they aim to reduce the harm social media is causing to young Australians. The legislation, expected to be introduced in parliament next week, is designed to protect children from the negative impacts of online platforms.

“This one is for the mums and dads… Like me, they’re deeply concerned about their kids’ safety online,” said Albanese. “I want Australian families to know that the government has your back.”

While the full details of the legislation are still to be finalized, the government confirmed that the ban would apply to children already using social media. There will be no exceptions for kids with parental consent, and the responsibility will fall on social media platforms to prove they are taking reasonable steps to prevent underage users from accessing their services.

Albanese also clarified that the law would not impose penalties on individual users, but enforcement would rest with Australia's eSafety Commissioner, the national online safety regulator. The ban would come into effect 12 months after the legislation is passed, and it would be reviewed after it has been implemented.

Debate Over Effectiveness of the Ban

While many experts agree that social media can harm the mental health of adolescents, there is significant debate over whether a blanket ban is the right approach. Some argue that banning social media altogether only delays young people's exposure to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, rather than teaching them how to engage with these spaces safely and responsibly.

Previous attempts to restrict social media access, including efforts by the European Union, have faced challenges, with some critics pointing to the effectiveness of age-verification systems that can be bypassed. 

In response to the proposal, one of Australia's leading child advocacy organizations criticized the ban as “too blunt an instrument.” The Australian Child Rights Taskforce, a coalition of over 100 academics and 20 civil society groups, wrote an open letter to the government in October urging the Prime Minister to consider alternative approaches. Specifically, they recommended imposing stronger "safety standards" on social media platforms rather than instituting an outright ban. 

The group also referenced United Nations guidelines, which stress that national policies should focus on ensuring children can safely access digital environments while benefiting from online engagement.

Calls for Protection vs. Education

However, many grassroots campaigners have supported the proposed ban, arguing that it is necessary to protect children from harmful content, misinformation, bullying, and other pressures online. A petition by the 36Months initiative, which has garnered over 125,000 signatures, argues that children under 16 are "not yet ready to navigate online social networks safely." The petition highlights concerns that excessive social media use is affecting young people's brain development and contributing to a mental health crisis.

When asked whether the government should focus more on educating children about the risks and benefits of the internet, Albanese rejected that approach, saying it assumes an "equal power relationship" between children and tech companies. "I don’t know about you, but I get things popping up on my system that I don’t want to see. Imagine what it’s like for a vulnerable 14-year-old," Albanese said in a statement to reporters. "These tech companies are incredibly powerful, and their algorithms are designed to push users toward specific behaviors."

The proposed legislation is set to ignite further debate over the role of governments, tech companies, and parents in protecting children in the digital age.