Australia plans to set minimum age for social media use

Legislations to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms are now being eyed in Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that his government intends to ban children from using social media.

In a recent statement, Albanese revealed that his Labor government will introduce legislation later this year to set a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms.

“We understand that social media is causing significant social harm, diverting kids from genuine friendships and real-life experiences,” the Prime Minister said.

While Albanese did not specify the exact age limit for the social media ban, he stressed that a national strategy will better protect Australian children from online dangers and provide greater support for parents and caregivers.

“This move builds on the Albanese government’s ongoing efforts to address online harms for young people, including the A$6.5 million age assurance trial aimed at informing policy development,” the Prime Minister’s statement on his official website noted.

In a related development, local media reported that South Australia is preparing new legislation to require social media companies to prevent children under 14 from accessing their platforms, with penalties for non-compliance. This legislation could potentially be adopted by other states, according to ABC News.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas stated, “The government is taking action to ensure that kids are restricted from accessing these accounts.”

Enforcing governance of highly addictive content

Adam Brown, managing consultant, Synopsys Software Integrity Group, meanwhile said: “Where there’s a will there’s a way, and while it is possible to limit access to inappropriate content, it’s impossible to completely irradicate it for the most motivated of users young or old.”

“Limitations could be better enforced and made default for children by the providers, where an explicit opt out is required and reviewed periodically,” Brown said.

Brown added that the app providers themselves realize that access by children is not right which is evident through their own self-governance, even if it’s not properly enforced.

“Providers and governments could better help parents and guardians to enforce some governance of essentially, highly addictive content.”

Brown noted that: “As a parent, I know how motivated a minor can be when it comes to gaining access to social media and can say how standard controls on devices are not effective enough for parents who want to govern access to social media.”

“These apps are designed to attract attention and combined with the super ease of use, convenience, and ubiquity of mobile devices, kids far too easily fall into bad habits with social media, spending in some cases most of their free time glued to these tiny screens,” he said.

Dangers of social media: A growing concern

Many studies have been done which showed that indeed, social media can have negative effects on people.

While social media has become an integral part of modern life, connecting people worldwide its rapid growth has also led to a growing concern about its potential dangers.

Here are some of the key risks associated with excessive social media use:

Mental health impacts

Depression and anxiety: Constant comparison to others’ curated lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
FOMO (fear of missing out): The pressure to be constantly connected can lead to anxiety and stress.
Cyberbullying: Online harassment, threats, and humiliation can have severe psychological consequences.

Privacy and security risks

Identity theft: Sharing personal information online can make individuals vulnerable to identity theft.
Misinformation and disinformation: The spread of false or misleading information can have harmful social and political consequences.
Online predators: Children and adolescents may be targeted by online predators posing as peers.

Social and relationship issues

Addiction: Excessive social media use can lead to addiction, impacting productivity and relationships.
Isolation: Overreliance on social media can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Unrealistic expectations: The curated nature of social media can create unrealistic expectations about relationships and life.

Physical health concerns

Sleep disruption: The blue light emitted by electronic devices can interfere with sleep patterns.
Sedentary lifestyle: Excessive screen time can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle and health problems.