There have been calls – from politicians and others – for children aged under 16 to be banned from accessing social media, because of concerns over the impact on their mental health.
On 10 September 2024 the Prime Minister announced plans for a ban, but did not specify the age at which it will apply (See more below).
Legislation to enforce the ban was introduced into Federal Parliament on 21 November (see below for details and reactions).
Background
This ABC News article from June 2024 provides some background to the ongoing debate.
Support for the proposed ban
- This article in Crikey, from journalist Charlotte Mortlock, makes a case for the ban.
- Why I support Australia’s age ban by Chanel Contos (Founder of Teach Us Consent and the author of Consent Laid Bare)
- Submission to the 2024 Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society from the Australian Parents Council (representing parents at non-government schools).
Opposition
There has been significant opposition to the idea, reported as follows:
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- Instead of banning young people from social media Anthony Albanese needs to listen to them by university student and activist Jess Travers-Wolf (Guardian, November 2024)
- Social media helped me find my voice. It’s a shame others won’t have the same chance by climate activist Anjali Sharma
- Social media age restrictions may push children online in secret… (Guardian, 23 June 2024)
- The eSafety commissioner is pushing back on … ban plan (Crikey, 26 June 2024)
- We know social media bans are unlikely to work… (Generation Next)
- Should we raise the age for social media? Why that’s the wrong question (Alannah and Madeleine Foundation, 17 June 2024)
- Youth mental health and social media: A Joint Position Statement by Australian mental health focused organisations working with young people (Prevention United, 31 July 2024)
- ARACY Submission to the Joint Committee into Social Media and Australian Society (ARACY, June 2024)
We will continue to monitor the debate and add to this page as new articles are published.
For advice about keeping your children safe in the online environment, see the eSafety website.
Labor policy announcement
- Prime Minister’s media release
- Article in the Guardian covering the announcement and reaction from State Premiers and the Opposition
- Editorial in the Age supporting action but questioning the practicability of a ban (Subscription only)
- Article in the Age focusing on parent responses to the proposed ban (Subscription only)
- Statement from eSafety putting the Prime Minister’s announcement into the context of ongoing work to reduce harm in this space.
- Article in the Age questioning the justification for the proposed ban, while experts in the field oppose it. The article traces concerns about youth and social media back to Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation, and proposes an alternative view. (Article is subscription only.)
Legislation
Legislation to enable the social media ban in uner-16s was introduced into Parliament on 21 November 2024 and passed on 26 November.
- Communication Minister Michelle Rowland’s speech introducing the Bill
- Commentary by Daniel Angus in the Conversation: “The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing”
- Statement from the eSafety Commissioner, welcoming the legislation but cautioning that, “it is one part of a holistic approach to protect children and young people from harm online.”
- Federal Education Minister Jason Clare’s media release announcing the passing of the legislation.
Parliamentary Inquiry
The legislation was also the subject of a Parliamentary Inquiry. Parents Victoria and national parent body ACSSO made submissions to the Inquiry:
All submissions are available on the Parliamentary Committee web page.
