Digital Minimum Age: Australia Mulls Social Media Age Restrictions

Australia, recognized as one of the leading nations globally for internet adoption rates, may soon be among the first countries to implement age restrictions on social media platforms.

The Prime Minister of Australia has declared that the country’s government is contemplating an age-based prohibition on children’s access to social media and similar digital platforms, highlighting apprehensions regarding their mental and physical well-being.

Anthony Albanese emphasized the utmost importance of ensuring the safety and mental and physical well-being of young individuals, in an official release from his office, indicating that the minimum age for accessing online platforms is expected to be set between 14 and 16 years.

“I aspire to see children engaging in activities beyond their devices, participating in sports such as football, swimming, and tennis,” PM Albanese stated. “Our goal is to encourage them to have genuine interactions with others, as we recognize that social media can lead to social detriment.”

The legislation, set to be introduced by the end of the year, is being promoted as a measure to safeguard Australian children from online dangers while also offering assistance to parents and caregivers.

Few days ago, the government of South Australia revealed its intention to prohibit children under the age of 14 from accessing social media. Additionally, the proposed regulations will require children aged 14 and 15 to obtain parental consent prior to creating accounts on these platforms.

Prime Minister Albanese stated that the national legislation will be formulated in collaboration with states and territories, and it will be guided by a review conducted by the South Australian government as part of its proposed laws.

However, the eSafety Commission, which serves as Australia’s online safety regulator, issued a caution two months ago, that approaches based on restrictions could hinder young individuals’ access to essential support, potentially driving them towards seeking out “less regulated non-mainstream services.”

Previous initiatives to implement age restrictions on social media platforms, such as those by the European Union (EU), have not succeeded due to concerns regarding the infringement of minors’ online rights.