“We know that technology moves fast,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, in a recent press statement. “No government is going to be able to protect every child from every threat – but we have to do all we can. Parents are worried sick about this. We know they’re working without a map – no generation has faced this challenge before.”
Following these remarks, Albanese announced a rollout that would change the landscape of social media as we know it.
There have been some round-robin progressions to social media legislation in Australia. Before the next election, the Albanese government is slated to implement a minimum age prohibition for teenagers looking to access social media and gaming platforms online. The laws will be introduced into parliament in the run-up to the next election. So, should children be banned from social media?
What will be the qualifying age to access social media?
While the Prime Minister announced the nationwide move on Tuesday, 10th of September, no specifications have been made in regards to the qualifying age. He proposes that the government wants to wait until the conclusion of an age-verification trial which begins its final phase in testing this week.
Additionally, the government is looking to draw on research support from expected to draw on a report written by former high court chief justice Robert French and commissioned by the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas. This will outline a legislative framework for establishing a minimum age. Based on their findings, Malinauskas' preference sets the age limit to under 14 years of age. French’s 276-page report additionally includes a proposed draft bill based on setting the age at 14 and requiring social media and other companies to establish parental consent controls before allowing children in that demographic to use their platforms.
“The evidence shows early access to addictive social media is causing our kids harm,” Malinauskas said in a statement in support of the federal government's decision. “This is no different to cigarettes or alcohol. When a product or service hurts children, governments must act. We will work closely with the commonwealth to implement this ban, which will be welcomed by parents across the country.”
The legislation is still in its trial phase
The third stage of the age-verification trial aimed at preventing children from accessing pornography and limiting social media access for teens aged between 13 and 16 begins this Tuesday. That will involve live-testing different technologies that could be used to a determine user’s age.
Other legislative figures have supported the bill, including Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.
“Parents are trying to manage content on devices at home, but it’s hard,” Allen said in a video message posted on Facebook. “It’s like a social media tsunami they feel they can’t stop.” Allen specified that the rules would target tech companies as the main subjects to mete judgement over and be held accountable. Her remarks support the government's bill in investing $6.5 million to cyber safety and welfare of children through online safety measures conducted on Meta and Instagram.
Research shows teenagers respond to an automated and algorithmically driven social media environment
Last year, researchers at the University of Sydney published a new report on online safety issues concerning young people. Within a category of social media users from ages 12-17, research has shown that self-regulation is the only method in-place to combat any online malign behaviours. This includes avoiding scams and suspicious links (72%), blocking abusive users (68 %), declining follow requests from strangers (67%), disabling location services, or deleting their profiles or apps (37%).
Personal usage also presented a number of various issues. Common negative draw cards include time-wasting, (54%), seeing unwanted ads/content (51%), sleep deprivation (27%), app overuse (37%) as well as cyberbullying (17%).
A following 89% of parents believe it’s important to monitor their child’s digital engagement, however only 33% feel their children are safe online.
Will this ban inhibit social connection for young people?
Opposing these accounts are the certain benefits of social media in fostering ideas of community and kinship through alternate methods of connection. The formation and maintenance of such relationships are integral for youth-to-youth communication, as well as provide methods of online support and affinity, particularly amongst community groups and diverse offshoots of young people. Studies have shown that social media can support the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other youths through peer connection, self-identification, and hybridised support.
Seven out of 10 adolescent girls of colour have reported encountering positive or identity-affirming content related to race across social media platforms. 58% of adolescents also add that social media helps them feel more accepted, with a further 71% attributing social media to nurturing their creativity.
While support for the bill has continued to drum up, it is currently unclear whether state legislation will be separate or uniform to the federal decision. The national cabinet discussed issues around a minimum access age and age verification when it met in Canberra last week.
On the trial's finalisation, Communications Adviser Michelle Rowland says, “We expect platforms and online services [to] do their share because we want to make sure Australian kids can use the internet in an age-appropriate way that supports their learning and lives in a positive way."
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