The Times Australia
The Times Australia
.

Albanese promises to legislate minimum age for kids’ access to social media

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra



The Albanese government will introduce legislation this term to enforce a minimum age for children to access social media.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make the formal announcement on Tuesday. This follows a discussion at last Friday’s national cabinet meeting, at which all states and territories, as well as the Commonwealth, committed to tackling what has become an increasingly worrying issue for many parents.

The push for legal controls on children’s access to social media has been led by the South Australian government, which has just released a report it commissioned from former chief justice Robert French ahead of that state’s plan for legislation.

The federal government has not nominated a minimum age but is presently trialling age-assurance mechanisms for those aged 13 to 16. The third phase of this trial begins this week.

The South Australian legislation would prevent access for children under 14, with those aged 14 and 15 requiring parental permission.

The federal legislation will draw on the French report.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, while leading the way on the issue and planning to go it alone if necessary, has always argued a national framework is essential for controls to be effective. Federal legislation would mean state legislation would probably be unnecessary.

Critics of legislated age limits have argued a legal approach is not the best way to proceed, because of both the difficulties of enforcement and fears it would isolate children for whom connection through social media is necessary.

But Albanese said: “No government is going to be able to protect every child from every threat, but we have to do all we can.

"Parents are worried sick about this. We know they’re working without a map - no generation has faced this challenge before.

"Which is why my message to Australian parents is we’ve got your back. We’re listening and determined to act to get this right.”

He said too often, social media took “kids away from real friends and real experiences”.

“Australian young people deserve better. I stand with them and with all Australian parents in protecting our kids. The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount.

"Parents want their kids off their phones and on the footy field. So do I. We are taking this action because enough is enough.”

Malinauskas said evidence showed early access to addictive social media was harming children.

“This is no different to cigarettes or alcohol. When a product or service hurts children, governments must act.”

Meanwhile, the Victorian government announced that state will put age-limits on social media platforms.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said: “One of the biggest things I hear from parents is that they’re worried about their kids on social media. And as a mum myself, so am I.

"Social media can be a great thing. But it’s just not a place for kids before they’re ready. It harms their development, and it hurts their focus, and it’s not just parents telling me, it’s kids and young people too.

"Parents are trying to manage content on devices at home, but it’s hard. It’s like a social media tsunami they feel they can’t stop. So it’s time to give parents the power to push back. Not against kids, but against the tech giants.”

She said the rules “won’t target parents or kids, but they’ll target the tech giants because they’re the ones we need to hold to account”.

There was “a bit more work to do, which is why we’ll be talking with parents, teachers and kids about what should and shouldn’t be included,” she said.

“Age limits will help parents at home and help protect kids from harm. This won’t solve everything, but it’s the right place to start.”

The French report says while social media could be regulated at the state level an alternative would be to confer the function on the existing federal eSafety Commissioner.

“The challenges of compliance with and enforcement of a law restricting access by children in one State and not all are strong indications of the need for a national approach if that can be achieved.”

The French model would impose an obligation on social media platforms to prevent access to children in the designated age ranges.

A regulator would monitor compliance and issue sanctions including, substantial financial penalties for breaches.

Families of children that were harmed as a result of access to social media would be able to sue for damages under the French model.

The French report says social media is used for “positive support and communication by many elements of the public, private and not-for-profit sectors”.

But it “can also be a channel for false and harmful content and a platform for bullying, exploitation and predation. It can be addictive. It can inflict harm on vulnerable members of society and particularly on children. While there are benefits to children learning how to navigate social media and how to use it to advantage there are significant risks.”

Read more https://theconversation.com/albanese-promises-to-legislate-minimum-age-for-kids-access-to-social-media-238586

How childcare in aged care can help young and old

An experimental aged-care model in South Australia, where purpose-built independent retirement living apartm...

Times Magazine

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

DIY Is In: How Aussie Parents Are Redefining Birthday Parties

When planning his daughter’s birthday, Rich opted for a DIY approach, inspired by her love for drawing maps and giving clues. Their weekend tradition of hiding treats at home sparked the idea, and with a pirate ship playground already chosen as t...

When Touchscreens Turn Temperamental: What to Do Before You Panic

When your touchscreen starts acting up, ignoring taps, registering phantom touches, or freezing entirely, it can feel like your entire setup is falling apart. Before you rush to replace the device, it’s worth taking a deep breath and exploring what c...

Why Social Media Marketing Matters for Businesses in Australia

Today social media is a big part of daily life. All over Australia people use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok , LinkedIn and Twitter to stay connected, share updates and find new ideas. For businesses this means a great chance to reach new customers and...

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

The Times Features

From Farms to Festivals: How Regional NSW Is Repurposing Shipping Containers

Regional NSW communities are repurposing containers for farms, tourism, and events Farmers and small businesses use them as cost-effective, flexible infrastructure Festivals ...

What a Mobile Speech Pathologist Really Does for Late Talkers

As a parent, it’s natural to keep a close eye on your child’s development. When your toddler isn’t using as many words as their peers, the internet can feel like a rabbit hole ...

Benefits of Tree Pruning for a Thriving Australian Garden

Tree pruning is an essential aspect of garden maintenance that often doesn't get the attention it deserves. It's a practice that involves the selective removal of certain parts...

What is psychosocial therapy? And why is the government thinking about adding it to Medicare for kids?

The government is considering new, bulk-billed health checks for three-year-olds, to pick up developmental concerns and refer kids that might need additional support. The de...

Detect Hidden Water Leaks Fast: Don’t Ignore Hot Water System Leaks

Detecting water leaks early is crucial for preventing extensive damage to your home. Among the various parts of a home’s plumbing system, hot water systems are particularly suscept...

Why do hamstring injuries happen so often and how can they be prevented?

In a recent clash against the Melbourne Storm, the Brisbane Broncos endured a nightmare rarely seen in professional sport — three players tore their hamstrings[1] in a single g...