Australia is set to introduce laws prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social media, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who recently announced the government’s intention to shift accountability from parents to tech companies. Albanese stressed that the legislation would require tech companies to implement effective age-verification systems for young users, aiming to protect children from potential harm associated with online platforms. While Albanese acknowledged the value of social media, he voiced concerns over the “real harm” it can inflict on children and teenagers, with mental health impacts and privacy risks among the critical issues he cited.
The proposal emphasizes corporate responsibility, as tech companies would be required to ensure that their platforms are not accessible to users under the legal age threshold without adequate verification measures. Importantly, there would be no direct penalties or legal consequences for young users or their parents, allowing families to avoid punitive measures while reinforcing the accountability of social media giants.
Albanese’s initiative has garnered bipartisan support, building on previous cross-party interest in regulating youth access to social media. The proposed restrictions reflect growing global scrutiny of tech companies and mirror similar legislative actions in the U.S. and European Union aimed at protecting minors online. Albanese intends to discuss the proposal with state and territory leaders to consolidate support before formally presenting the legislation to parliament by late November, marking a significant step in Australia’s regulatory stance on online safety for young people.