Australia is preparing to implement an ambitious proposal that would change the rules on young people’s access to social media platforms, banning them for those under 16.
Under the leadership of the Labour Prime Minister Anthony Albanesethe government intends to raise the minimum age to open a social media account from 13 to 16, following a similar initiative already advanced in France.
Currently, the main social media platforms require a minimum age of 13 to register, but the access mechanisms are often vulnerable and easily circumvented, especially for digital natives. In this context, several psychology experts have stressed the urgency of stricter regulation of social media, highlighting the potential harms resulting from the excessive use of these platforms.
Is Australia banning social media for children under 16?
Albanese clarified that a specific age below which the use of social media would be prohibited has not yet been defined, although the aim is to protect children under 16. Even the leader of the conservative opposition, Peter Duttonexpressed his support for this bill, demonstrating a certain political unanimity on such a sensitive issue.
However, there is no shortage of critical voices. Daniel Angusa lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology, described the government’s initiative as “hasty and short-sighted“, noting that the proposal pre-empts the findings of a parliamentary inquiry into the effects of social media on Australian society. According to Angus, the law could have unintended consequences, excluding young people from healthy and active engagement in the digital landscape.
Another expert, Toby Murraya computer science lecturer at the University of Melbourne, expressed skepticism about the applicability of an age limit. “The government is testing technology to verify users’ ages, but existing methods are unreliable and easily circumvented, as well as posing privacy risks.”warned Murray.
The debate is heated, with the daily The Age who commented on the initiative, calling it laudable but with difficulties of implementation that appear almost insurmountable. The question remains open, and Australia faces a difficult task: balancing the protection of young people with the right to active participation in the digital world.
