Australia proposes teen social media ban

ProCon debate: Does social media spur digital addiction and other social ills?

ProCon issue in the news: On Nov. 7, 2024, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced far-reaching legislation that would ban teens under 16 from social media.

Albanese said, “Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it. I’ve spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. And I want Australian parents and families to know that the Government has your back. I want parents to be able to say, ‘sorry mate, it’s against the law for me to get you to do this’. We don’t argue that the changes that we will be legislating will fix everything immediately. We have laws such as people can’t buy alcohol if they’re under 18, and from time to time that can be broken. But those laws set what the parameters are for our society and they assist in ensuring the right outcomes.”

The prime minister made clear that users or their parents would not be punished for breaking the law, but that the obligation will be on social media companies to restrict users based on their age. However, existing users under 16 will not be allowed to continue using the platforms, and parental consent would not provide an exemption.

If parliament passes the legislation, the new restrictions will take effect 12 months later.

More than 100 experts and organizations (grouped as the Australian Children’s Rights Task Force) objected to the proposed law, stating, “We understand the risks that social media has for children and young people, and these are well documented. Addressing those risks requires a careful and evidence-based response that acknowledges the role that the digital world plays in contemporary childhood. The online world is a place where children and young people access information, build social and technical skills, connect with family and friends, learn about the world around them and relax and play. These opportunities are important for children, advancing children’s rights and strengthening development and the transition to adulthood. Any restrictions in the digital world must therefore be designed with care and we are concerned that a ‘ban’ is too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”

Discussion questions

1. Should social media be banned for young people?
2. Should restrictions be placed on social media for young people?
3. Consider social media’s impact on your life. What would you change? What would you keep?

Sources

• Anthony Albanese and Michelle Rowland, “Press Conference - Parliament House, Canberra,” pm.gov.au, Nov. 7, 2024
• Associated Press, “Australia Proposes Social Media Ban for Children under the Age of 16,” npr.org, Nov. 7, 2024
• Australian Children’s Rights Task Force, Open Letter Re: Social Media Bans, westernsydney.edu.au, Oct. 9, 2024
• Eve Sampson, “Australia Moves to Ban Young Teens From Social Media,” nytimes.com, Nov. 7, 2024