Should those under 16 be banned from social media?
Video clip at right: On November 29, 2024, ABC News televised a report on the passage through Federal Parliament of a bill banning those under 16 accessing social media. The report includes some international responses to the new law.
The Issue at a Glance
Should those under 16 be banned from social media?What they said . . .
What they said . . .
'I've spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
'For my son and for countless other neurodiverse kids, the social media ban is going to isolate a group of kids already at high risk for loneliness'
Pilaf Mitchell, a freelance journalist
On November 28, 2024, Australia passed legislation making it the first country in the world to ban those under 16 from accessing some social media platforms.
The legislation is supported by 77 percent of Australians
as a desirable measure to protect young people from risks associated with social media; however, it has been criticised by many experts and the Australian Human Rights Commission. There are also concerns as to whether a ban can be effectively implemented.Methods of implementing the ban are being trialed from January 2025 and the ban is expected to be in place by early next year.
Debate around the issue continues and is likely to intensify as the implementation date approaches.