Australia Discusses Minimum Age of 16 to Use Social Networks

Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland presented a law in parliament today that could make Australia the first country to ban children under 16 from accessing social media.

Rowland said TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit,

"This bill seeks to establish a new normative value in society that access to social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia," the minister told parliament.

"There is widespread recognition that something must be done immediately to help prevent teens and children from being exposed to endless, unfiltered streams of content," Rowland added.

The project has broad political support, in addition to the ruling Labor party. After it becomes law, social networks will have one year to define how to implement the age restriction.

"For many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Almost two-thirds of Australians aged 14 to 17 have viewed extremely harmful content 'online', including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, as well as violent material. A quarter have been exposed to content that promotes dangerous eating habits," Rowland lamented.

A government survey found that "95% of Australian carers consider online safety to be one of the most difficult challenges for parents," the minister warned.

Social networks have a social responsibility and could do better in addressing the harm done to their platforms, Rowland said.

Child welfare and Internet experts have raised concerns about the ban, including isolating 14- and 15-year-olds from already established 'online' social networks.

Rowland said there would be no age restrictions on messaging services, online games or platforms that substantially support users' health and education.

Australia is also looking at ways to stop under-18s from accessing 'online' pornography, a government statement said.

Rowland said platforms would still face fines if they misused users' personal information obtained for age assurance purposes.

Information must be destroyed after serving this purpose unless the user consents to it being kept, the minister said.

The Digital Industry Group, an advocate for the digital industry in Australia, criticized the Government's proposed age limit as a "20th century response to 21st century challenges".