Australia to Legislate Social Media Minimum Age: PM Albanese

The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, plans to legislate a minimum age for social media access between 14 and 16. This move aims to reduce online bullying and social harm but has been criticized for potentially blocking useful content.

The Australian government announced on Tuesday its intention to legislate a minimum age for children accessing social media within the year. However, the exact method for age verification remains undisclosed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that the government plans to pilot age verification technology to restrict social media access for children. The minimum age is expected to be set between 14 and 16.

This initiative aligns with global efforts to protect children from social media-related harm like bullying. Parents in Australia have increasingly demanded online protections for their children. The opposition party has also pledged a social media ban for children under the age of 16 if they win the next elections, slated by May next year.

"We've committed to introducing legislation before the end of this year for age verification to make sure that we get young people away from this social harm," Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"This is a scourge. We know that there are mental health consequences for many young people due to online bullying and harmful content. Parents are seeking a response," added the Prime Minister.

Nonetheless, Lisa Given, an information technology expert at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, criticized the plan, saying it could block children from beneficial online resources.

South Australia state has also proposed a law to fine social media companies that fail to exclude children under 14 from their platforms.

(With inputs from agencies.)