Australia is preparing to introduce legislation that will restrict children from using social media, citing the harmful mental health effects of platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The government aims to implement a minimum age requirement by the end of the year, though the specific age limit has yet to be confirmed. The range is expected to fall between 14 and 16 years old, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressing a preference for the higher end of the spectrum.
Albanese has described social media use among children as a "scourge" and emphasized the need for young people to focus on "real experiences with real people." This move follows growing global concern over the impact of social media on the mental well-being of children, from increased anxiety and depression to issues with self-esteem and cyberbullying.
The ban reflects Australia’s growing efforts to regulate digital environments to protect children, aligning with similar initiatives worldwide aimed at curbing the potentially damaging effects of social media on young minds.
