Exploring the Potential Ban of Social Media for Children: A Review
Children under 14 may soon be prohibited from opening social media accounts, marking a first-of-its-kind law in Australia.
With the appointment of former High Court chief justice Robert French AC to investigate the feasibility of a ban, children under 14 could face restrictions on opening social media accounts.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has tasked French with exploring legal, regulatory, and technological avenues to implement this ban while staying within the state’s constitutional framework.
The proposal also includes a requirement for parental consent for children aged 14 and 15 to access social media accounts.
Mr. Malinauskas expressed concern about the negative effects of social media on children’s mental health and development, stating, “We are seeing mounting evidence from experts of the adverse impact of social media on children.
As a government, we are committed to protecting our children and ensuring their well-being,” he added.
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While most social media platforms currently require users to be at least 13 years old to register, this age limit is often bypassed.
If implemented, these changes would set a precedent in Australia, following similar restrictions in Spain and certain U.S. states like Florida and Texas.
A survey conducted by Australian mental health organization ReachOut in April 2023, involving 631 parents and carers, revealed that 59% were worried about their teenagers’ social media usage.
Sonya Ryan, who founded the Carly Ryan Foundation in memory of her late daughter Carly, emphasized the dangers social media poses to children, saying, “Children lack the life experience and mental capacity to navigate risky online situations, putting themselves in physical danger.”
She advocated for legislation to protect children from online harms and urged for mandatory age verification on all social media platforms to be enforced by tech companies.
