Children in Australia could be banned from social media platforms under government plans to set age limits for their use.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that an age verification trial would take place before an as yet unspecified age limit was introduced into law by the end of the year.
It would make Australia one of the first countries in the world to introduce an age restriction on social media, and comes amid parents demanding their children be more protected online.
Molly Rose Foundation Chair of Trustees Ian Russell said: ”MRF is not calling for blanket bans as we believe these will have unintended consequences and penalise young people for the malpractices of the platforms.
“It is important digital dangers are tackled at source; where they are hosted.
“Regulation, like the UK’s Online Safety Act, is designed to separate young people from online harm, while allowing them to enjoy the benefits of our digital world and, at the same time, preparing them for its dangers when they turn 18.
“These measures might not yet be in force but we are only months away from their introduction and unusually, we’re already seeing the platforms’ respond.”
Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp: “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.
“This is a scourge. We know that there is mental health consequences for what many of the young people have had to deal with. The bullying that can occur online, the access to material which causes social harm, and parents are wanting a response.”
If you’re struggling just text MRF to 85258 so you can speak to a trained volunteer from Shout, the UK’s Crisis Text Line service
