Australian states back national plan to ban children younger than 16 from social media
Australia’s states and territories have unanimously backed a world-first national plan to ban children younger than 16 from most forms of social media
By ROD McGUIRK
Published - Nov 08, 2024, 01:24 AM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 05:33 PM EST
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s states and territories on Friday unanimously backed a national plan to require most forms of social media to bar children younger than 16.
Leaders of the eight provinces held a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss what he calls a world-first national approach that would make platforms including X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook responsible for enforcing the age limit.
“Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians,” Albanese told reporters. “The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority."
The government leaders had been discussing for months setting a limit, considering options from 14 to 16 years of age.
