Australia's Bold Move: Minimum Age Limit for Social Media Use

Australia is considering setting a minimum age limit for social media usage to address mental and physical health concerns among children. The initiative, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is met with resistance from digital rights advocates who fear it may push risky activities underground and limit online support.

Australia is taking a pioneering step to set a minimum age limit for children using social media, citing rising concerns about their mental and physical well-being. This controversial move, spearheaded by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has sparked a heated debate among digital rights advocates who warn it could drive risky online behavior underground.

Albanese indicated the likely age limit would be between 14 and 16, emphasizing a preference to see children engaged in physical activities rather than engrossed in their devices. "We want them to have real experiences with real people because we know that social media is causing social harm," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

The proposed legislation would make Australia one of the first countries to impose such an age restriction, an idea that has faced significant backlash in regions like the European Union. Concerns about enforcement and potential negative impacts on minors' access to supportive online spaces have been raised by various experts, including Australia's eSafety Commissioner and academics.

(With inputs from agencies.)