The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times
AD
The Epoch Times
Support Us
SHARE
World NewsAustralia News

Review to Explore Social Media Ban for 13-Year-Olds and Younger

Children under 14 could be blocked from opening social media accounts in an Australia-first law.
Copy
Facebook
X
Truth
Gettr
LinkedIn
Telegram
Email
Save
Review to Explore Social Media Ban for 13-Year-Olds and Younger
A man holds a smartphone displaying the logo of Chinese social media platform TikTok in April 2024. Antonin UTZ / AFP via Getty Images
AAP
By AAP
5/12/2024Updated: 5/12/2024
0:00

Children under 14 could be blocked from opening social media accounts, with an eminent legal eagle to investigate the feasibility of a ban.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has appointed former High Court chief justice Robert French AC to examine the legal, regulatory, and technological pathways for his government to impose a ban within the state’s constitutional framework.

Under the proposal, parents would also have to give their consent for children aged 14 and 15 to access a social media account.

“Like most parents, I am concerned about the impact social media is having on children in our community,” Mr. Malinauskas said in a statement on Sunday.

“We are seeing mounting evidence from experts of the adverse impact of social media on children, their mental health and development.

“I am determined to ensure as a government we are doing everything we can to protect our children.”

Related Stories
Graphic Book on Sex Wins ‘Book of the Year’ for 13-Year-Olds
5/10/2024
Graphic Book on Sex Wins ‘Book of the Year’ for 13-Year-Olds
New Zealand Drops Plans to Establish Internet Content Regulator
5/9/2024
New Zealand Drops Plans to Establish Internet Content Regulator

Most social media platforms require users to be at least 13 to register an account, but the age limit is easily circumvented.

The proposed changes would be an Australian-first and follow legislated restrictions on children using social media accounts in Spain and the U.S. states of Florida and Texas.

A survey of 631 parents and carers by Australian mental health organisation ReachOut in April 2023 showed 59 percent were concerned about their teenager’s social media use.

Sonya Ryan, who established a foundation in the name of her 15-year-old daughter Carly after she was murdered by an online predator posing as a teenage boy, said social media presents a profound risk of harm for kids.

“Children do not have the life experience or the cognitive and executive functioning to think through harmful situations online, sometimes placing themselves at real physical risk,” the Founder & CEO of The Carly Ryan Foundation

“In my opinion the only way forward is to create appropriate legislation to protect our children from these harms and regulate big tech companies to include mandatory age verification across all platforms.”

AAP
AAP
Author
Australian Associated Press is an Australian news agency.
Author’s Selected Articles

Perth Confirmed to Enter NRL for 2027 Season

May 08, 2025
Perth Confirmed to Enter NRL for 2027 Season

Albanese’s Second Term Opens with Triple Challenge: Greens, Factions, and Tariffs

May 07, 2025
Albanese’s Second Term Opens with Triple Challenge: Greens, Factions, and Tariffs

Mushroom Poisoning Trial Hears of Final Phone Call

May 07, 2025
Mushroom Poisoning Trial Hears of Final Phone Call

Bondi Inquest Reveals 7-Minute Delay in Westfield Emergency Response

May 07, 2025
Bondi Inquest Reveals 7-Minute Delay in Westfield Emergency Response
Save
The Epoch Times
Copyright © 2000 - 2025 The Epoch Times Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.