Australia is working on a draft law that aims to prohibit the use of social networks by people under 16 years of age. The plans were confirmed by Anthony Albanese, the nation’s prime minister, according to a report from Reuters. The official warned that platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook “are harming our children and I am going to put an end to them.”
Albanese points out that excessive use of social interaction services poses risks to the physical and mental health of younger users. He cites in particular harmful representations of body image and the proliferation of misogynistic content. He claims that his administration has designed “a world-leading package of measures” that could be legislated in the coming months and become law by the end of 2025.
The control mechanisms included in this initiative surpass in rigor any other existing regulatory scheme on the subject. Australian authorities are testing a biometric age verification system and one more based on official documents. To date, no jurisdiction in the world has attempted to use similar methods to restrict children’s access to social media.
The age limit established in Australia’s legislative proposal is considered the highest in the world. The regulations do not consider exemptions for parental knowledge or for pre-existing accounts. “The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate that reasonable steps are being taken to prevent access,” Albanese anticipates.
Michelle Rowland, head of the Ministry of Communications, has detailed that social media such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) will be subject to the new legal framework. It is possible that YouTube will join the list in a second review. “What we are announcing here and what we will legislate will truly be at the forefront of the world,” the minister celebrated.
The Digital Industry Group, a representative body for the technology sector, warns that the severity of the rule could encourage teenagers to explore unregulated parts of the internet, which poses multiple threats. Sunita Bose, CEO of the organization, emphasizes that “keeping youth safe online is a top priority. But the proposed ban is a 20th century response to the challenges of the 21st century. Instead of blocking access through deprivation , we need to take a balanced approach and create age-appropriate spaces, promote digital literacy and protect children from risks on-line“.
The debate on the use of social networks among minors and its implications on mental health does not find consensus. In May, Vivek Murthy, director of health in the United States, warned that excessive and prolonged stay in social interaction services in childhood can lead to various mental health problems, including sleep disturbances and difficulties relating to the environment.
In contrast, a report from the American Psychological Association (APA) found that the use of social media platforms “is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful to young people.” He noted that more research should be done on the topic.
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