The minimum age to access social media in Australian could be 16 by the end of next year, after National Cabinet today approved the move.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said legislation would be introduced in the next Parliamentary sitting fortnight this month, which, if passed, would trigger a 12-month transition phase.
Prime Minister Albanese said the decision followed extensive consultation with young people, parents and carers, academics and child development experts, community, industry and civil organisations, First Nations youth, and state and territory governments.
He said the Bill would put the onus on social media platforms, not parents or young people, to take reasonable steps to ensure fundamental protections were in place.
“The Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders in the lead up to the commencement of the law, with a lead time of at least 12 months following the Bill’s passage to give industry, governments and the eSafety Commissioner time to implement systems and processes.
“We will also use this time to develop guidance for parents, carers and children ahead of the change.”
Prime Minister Albanese said the Government would ensure young Australians retained access to services that primarily provided education and health services.
He said they would work constructively with stakeholders to ensure that only services which met the strict criteria under eSafety’s powers were able to be accessed by children under 16.
“We need to do everything we can to keep our kids safe, and wherever I go in Australia, I know one of the biggest issues worrying mums and dads is the impact social media is having on their children’s well being.”
Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said introducing a minimum age for social media access was about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them.
“Our decision to set the minimum age at 16 years is based on extensive consultation with experts, parents and young people. It strikes a balance between minimising harms experienced by young people during a critical period of development,” Minister Rowland said.
