The Australian government has unveiled a pioneering new law that would set a minimum age of 16 for children to access social media platforms, holding tech companies accountable for enforcing this rule.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in an announcement on Thursday, emphasized the urgent need to protect young people from the potential harms of social media.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” said Albanese, highlighting the government's commitment to safeguarding children's well-being.
The legislation aims to be a world-leading standard in regulating social media use among minors, ensuring platforms comply with stringent age verification measures.
The legislation will be introduced in Parliament during its final two weeks in session this year, which begin on Nov. 18. The age limit would take effect 12 months after the law is passed, Albanese told reporters.
The platforms including X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook would need to use that year to work out how to exclude Australian children younger than 16.